Guess what I want to do when my head heals up?

Amazing what a couple of nights rest can do. I'm sleeping better than I have in a long time. I am getting REM sleep now and even remembering dreams! But this next part is not a dream. It is a goal.

I plan to return to school and complete my education! Wahoo! I thought I'd never get to that point in my life again, when I would allow myself the luxury of returning to school. I left off more than 15 years ago, just past an AA degree. At the time I couldn't find anything that I wanted to do that warranted the use of my very little free time. I was already working a fulltime job and had been for many years. It was one that required shiftwork, mandatory overtime, and working with negative people in negative situations. Very draining! I was unaware of the early symptoms of PD, which were already taking hold back then. Now I am surrounded by nothing but positive, optimistic, hopeful, encouraging, and brilliant people! And I've got God on my side! So everything is possible!

I'm leaning toward a degree in IT. There are many online classes I can take now. Plus there is a Devry in Fremont is farely close. I need to pick a field that will allow me to work from home. I'm still have children to raise and I still have PD. My disease will continue to play a major role in my life. DBS is a band-aid and not a cure or treatment that stops or permenantly reverses the effects of PD. I need to plan for the future. I have to think ahead . I want to help my family as much as I can for as long as I can. There are many scholarships available for non-traditional students (over 25, married, returning, with a disability, etc) that I can tap into.

Most of my PD friends have advanced degrees or titles that go next to their names. I took an unofficial survey (a show of hands of those present) during meetings at 3 different Parkinson's support groups I go to, roughly 75% of those in attendance were engineers of some sort. There were several in the science and education fields with with a Phd. Also a lawyer, a nurse, chemist, research scientist, special education instructor, a retired military general, etc. All intelligent folks! Just about everyone in the Young Onset support group that meets at Stanford is an engineer or scientist or educator of some sort. I keep trying to figure out how I fit in with this elite group. What makes me so special? I don't possess a title or graduate degree. At least not yet!

I have a new understanding of the "Footprints in the Sand" Poem. Thank you lord for carrying me! And for allowing me to dream!!