Pills, Pilates and God: Local woman adapts to early-onset Parkinson’s

CNA photo by ANDY GOODELL Keeping the faith: Myra Spindler prepares for a Bible study class Tuesday afternoon at her home. Spindler was diagnosed with ParkinsonÕs in 1995, and said her faith has been an important tool in adapting to the disease.

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Parkinson’s Disease has strengthened Myra Spindler’s faith in God. Diagnosed in March of 1995, Myra admits being frustrated by Parkinson’s. Oftentimes, it can make seemingly simple tasks, like writing with a pen, impossible. “There are times when you say, ‘I wish I didn’t have to deal with this,’” she said. “You just have to come back to reality and trust in the Lord for the day that you’re here. I just want to enjoy each day.” Myra and husband Chuck Spindler, pastor of Crest Bapist Church, agreed they would not be at peace with her Parkinson’s without knowing it was part of God’s plan. They cited several Biblical verses, which attest to their belief that God has only given them challenges He knows they can face. While seated in their home across the street from Crest Baptist, Chuck reminded Myra that at the time of her diagnosis, their Bible study group discussion focused on the question, “Where is God When Bad Things Happen?” “Whether there’s an Earthly cure or not, we know that there will be an eternal cure,” Chuck professed. “One day she’ll be, and I will be, and all of us who trust in Christ will be fully as God intended us to be. Those kinds of things keep us going now, and give us a hope for eternity.” Individual impact Many factors, including age, impact what symptoms those with Parkinson’s Disease will experience. At the age of 54, Myra has been dealing with early-onset Parkinson’s for nearly 15 years. Since then, she said the disease has progressed to a moderate or even advanced state. Like many with Parkinson’s, she knew something was wrong long before her official diagnosis came down. For nearly a year before seeing a doctor, Myra noticed she could not brush her teeth and hair easily, and that she had difficulty walking. What scared Myra the most at the time of her diagnosis was that she knew very little about Parkinson’s. She immediately began to seek out any information she could find on the disease and what symptoms she could anticipate. “I was scared because I didn’t know what to expect,” Myra said. Today, Myra has come to expect things many people take for granted to pose daily challenges to her, including having difficulty speaking. Although Myra often has difficulty enunciating and can slur her words when she speaks, a keen ear will find strength in the words she speaks, rather than how they are spoken. “I’ve been to speech therapy,” she explained. “It’s just something I have to work on every day.” Working it out Taking six daily medications and a steadfast belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ has helped Myra tremendously. However, Myra said daily exercise has also done wonders in coping with Parkinson’s. Myra said she has good and bad days in dealing with the disease. Much of this depends on if she is able to do her Pilates, running and weight-lifting workouts. “A lot of it’s just taking care of your body,” she said. “When I’m tired or when I’m stressed, the medication can just stop. It’s almost like I haven’t taken any.” Adapting to her Parkinson’s Disease doesn’t end with exercise, medication and spirituality. Myra has also discovered the therapeutic power of water color painting in recent years. Groups Myra still enjoys reading to children at Mayflower Heritage Christian School. She also teaches Sunday school and a women’s Bible Study at Crest Baptist every Friday. Knowing she is still able to do the things she loves is proof Parkinson’s Disease has not held Myra back. “It’s relaxing and encouraging to see you can do the things you always enjoyed doing,” she said with a smile. “It’s not that you can’t do it. It’s that it takes you twice as long to do it. You have to keep your head in the ball game.” Myra recently helped form a Parkinson’s Disease support group, which held it’s first meeting at Crest Baptist Monday evening. Chuck and Myra want the group to remain focused on helping those diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their loved ones understand the disease. “It sounds encouraging to know you’re not the only one going through something,” she said. “Hopefully it will create a group that will help each other along. The last thing I want it to be is a pity party.” —————— Andy Goodell can be reached at (641) 782-2141 ext. 242 or agoodell@crestonnews.com