Welcome! My name is Matthew Royce and in 2019 at the age of 34, I was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease. This came as quite a shock because up to that point, I was in the prime of my life. The future seemed limitless regarding my dreams, career and overall health. I was also just starting a family and my son wasn’t even 5 months old.
I’ve played the drums since I was 3. It is a great passion of mine. One night while practicing, I noticed I could not keep tempo with my right arm. I am a licensed physical therapist assistant and I’ve treated many patients with neurological disorders over the years. My first thought was “please God don’t be ALS.” As I sat there behind the drum set, tears began flooding my eyes as I started thinking the worst. I tend to catastrophize things as it is but was this really happening? Around that time my family and I went to a drive through Christmas light show and I spilled some chocolate milk on the car mat (unrelated to PD). When I arrived home, as I attempted to scrub out the stain, I noticed my right hand was not moving back and forth properly. However, my left hand worked just fine. It was like my right hand wouldn’t do what my mind was telling it to do. I was consumed with dread. For months what I thought were jitters from skipping a meal or from maybe too much coffee were actually tremors. Not only in my right hand but in my leg and even my stomach at times. Just the slightest bit of excitement or emotion and the tremors would take over. Whenever I would yawn for some reason my right hand would start shaking. While attending a church event, a friend called me over and told me he noticed my right arm wasn’t swinging and that it seemed a little “stiff” when walking. I was hopeful that maybe I had a stroke and didn’t realize it. Finally after being thoroughly examined by my neurologist and receiving the results from the DAT scan (used to detect PD), she diagnosed me with Parkinson’s Disease. “No way, I thought.” Not me. I never smoked, barely drank and was in top shape. Fear consumed my heart and mind. For the first time in my life, I was afraid of my future. Everything was going great in my life. I was devastated. Yet I was determined to fight this and do everything I could to win this battle.
One of the first recommendations my doctor suggested was to get involved with a Parkinson’s support group. After years of denial and trying to escape what I knew was happening, I decided to look for help. However, it was hard to find a local PD support group locally, let alone anyone in my age group. This is why I decided to start my own blog for anyone dealing with PD of any age. I wanted to include those who may know someone, a friend, or loved one dealing with this condition as well.
I know there is a ton of research and resources out there to make a difference. I hope you find this site comforting and that we can come together and support those dealing with this condition. This is not the end.
Only the strong survive. Please feel free to comment.
Thanks,
Matt
