I have just been made aware that some feel the word "Parkies" is offensive. I don't intend to use this term as applied to a person, but for me Parkies is a separate entity and an unwelcome presence.

A video popped up on a Facebook Page for people with Parkinson's and those that support them. A husband was talking about how he would have a different priority if he were to have his time again with his wife. It resonated with me and these are my thoughts.

Some reflections and strategies for assessing how much my left side is compromised compared to my right side and how I am trying to monitor and improve left sided involvement.

Lately I have noticed a bit more trouble with finding words or remembering what I was going to say. Even I don't even know if I want help, so how does my poor husband know?

I was brought up - particularly by my mother - that it was a bad thing to "blow your own trumpet" and I should always be modest about my achievements. I never heard my mother say she was proud of me. So, I always ensured that my children were always told how proud I was of them and how loved they were.

I have written a poem about Cultural Confusion. The child of a Kiwi mum and Pommy Dad, I found myself straddling two cultures not knowing quite where I fitted in.

Every now and again I feel the need to do a bit of a check-in with myself and with those close to me to gauge how Parkies is behaving, or not as the case may be." This is one of those check-ups.

Just a few musings on the use of language. Even if you seem to be speaking the same language, if you are from different countries it is the use of that language with local sayings, etc that can make life interesting!

Over the years there have been many changes to how we 'do' Christmas. It can be a stressful time, trying to accommodate everyone's wishes and needs. This year, I decided we needed a complete change.

I have always struggled with people's expectations that I act in a certain way and not allowing me to do things my own way. I know that to be the best that I can be, I need to find my own path and trust in myself.