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Hi! It's me! I'm the doula, it's me...
As a young girl, I never knew that my desire to advocate for my grandfather in his Parkinson's battle would be the first step towards my calling.
James Vidamour was the best grandfather you could ever ask for or dream of, and he was mine. When his thumb started to shake during tennis one day (his first symptom), it was the start of a VERY LONG journey. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's before I was born, so shaky grandpa was just normal. Not once did he ever express fear of this disease, even though we all knew the gravity. As I started to understand more, I refused to let him go to consultations, doctor's appointments, etc., without me...
Starting at the age of 7, I never took no as an answer to being treated equally as an adult in heavy discussions on his care. I found peace making sure all providers were on the same page, that symptoms weren't brushed over, and that all options were explained in clear detail.
My grandfather, also a poet, engineer, author, and devoted family man, met with Congress accompanied by Michael J. Fox to secure more funding in finding a cure for Parkinsons. He also started support groups online (when AOL chat rooms were all we had in the late '90s) and locally in the Front Range area. He even elected to be part of a new experimental procedure putting two stems on each side of the brain (an 8-hour procedure on each side) that connected to a magnetic chest implant. We all stood by him in this monumental decision taking on the risk to help further research. We were all in complete awe of him as he took each step as a graceful warrior.
Today, I sat with my coffee, revisiting those memories of strength, inclusiveness, and empowerment that my grandpa embodied every day as he fought a constant battle. I let myself really be that little girl again, tapping into my first experiences of support in the medical world. His path has helped pave mine in so many ways.
Hi, it's me, I am the doula, the advocate, the informed unwavering support, the unconditional love, it's me... Thanks grandpa.
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