It was a warm October day in 2003 when my world abruptly shifted. The annoying symptoms that had been dogging me — pain and stiffness in my arm, fatigue, clumsiness, twitching in my finger — had a new name. Two exams and an MRI yielded a diagnosis that shocked me. It was Parkinson’s disease or, more accurately, a high likelihood of it.

There is no definitive diagnosis and we do not know the causes of the disease. The diagnostic process consists of ruling out other conditions. The average age of diagnosis is 60, but 15 percent of all people with the disease are much younger.

Parkinson’s disease is known for its motor symptoms: rigidity, stiffness, shuffling gait and freezing, but it affects almost every bodily system. Problems with swallowing, projecting one’s voice, digestion, fatigue,sleeplessness, depression and pain are just as common. Each individual has a different experience and the progression and severity differ from person to person. There is no way to predict the progression, no way to slow it down and no cure.

Many people are unaware of the disease’s effect. Many don’t want to think about it; maybe it frightens them. The illness has turned my life inside out. I’ve had to make countless adjustments, mentally and physically. I have learned to ask for help, walk more slowly, live life now. Humor and exercise are the best medicines.

Think about educating yourself and others about PD and get involved in some small way. Be patient with the slow person in line; she might have PD and is doing her best. She might be me.