Eliora
Mary & Me, by Robyn Cotton (2021), published by DayStar Books Ltd Auckland.
Two centuries earlier Mary had no hope. Cruelly, her quality of life deteriorated and she became isolated from her family and others. She was falling, shaking and dribbling with no idea what was wrong. In 1810, Dr Parkinson, a caring physician, wanted to find out why.
Cotton’s writing reflects the shock when she heard she had a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. The author honours her husband, who lives out his marriage commitment to her in “sickness and in health” and shares her personal determination to make the most of every day. This book talks with bold honesty about her current new journey.
For Cotton, neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life) is not simply a medical theory. She began to put it to the test, beginning with a strict six-week dietary trial at the hospital, then continuing with daily exercises, running, and training then completing the Round the Bays race (8.4 km). She also relates to the reader her conquering of mind, body and soul skills at an Outward Bound course, and lots more.
The author encourages a person newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, who asked, “How do you stay positive?”
It’s not always easy as dopamine is a reward chemical in the brain, but it’s important. It would be too easy to focus on the negatives and let fear drag me down, which could rapidly turn into a downward spiral. One of the hard things about Parkinson’s is the symptoms are always there, serving as a reminder of the disease, and it can be all-consuming. I try to focus on living in the moment and making the best of my life. The disease may be outside my control, but my attitude is something I can control, I try to stay focused on the positives.
Mary & Me, p200
She continues,
Be encouraged as there’s a lot of reason for hope right now. I follow a website each month that summarises nearly one thousand articles of the scientific research relating to Parkinson’s. So many studies and some are looking quite hopeful. I believe there will be a breakthrough in my lifetime and my goal is to stay as well as I can until that discovery, through prayer, exercise, positive thinking, pills and diet. I call it staying PEPPD.” p201. (emphasis mine)
Mary & Me, p201
The author’s first book A Skylark Flies, written a couple of years ago, is a story of forgiveness that freed her to live above a personal trauma. Cotton’s Christian faith is important to her. She lives by carpe diem – seize the day – and inevitably throws out the line “Take that, Parkinson’s!” when she accomplishes something that’s difficult or new. The book is dedicated to other “hero Parkies” and she is grateful to the crowd funding that enabled the book to be published.
Robyn Cotton’s book would be a worthy present for anyone who appreciates an inspiring story.
It is available from DayStar Books (info@daystarbooks.org).
