Learning to live with Parkinson's

As Ruth Bot was completing the 41st and final year of her teaching career at Minneota, there were a few telltale signs that something wasn't quite right.
"My balance wasn't as good and I had trouble signing my name because my hand wasn't stead," she revealed. "While walking from the library to the office, my balance was off. I wasn't sure what it was, but I mentioned it to my doctor during a wellness check last November."
Following a physical, the doctor referred Bot to a neurologist at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls.
After a very brief examination, the doctor there diagnosed Bot with Parkinson's disease on Nov. 17, 2021.
"He diagnosed me after examining me for only about 12 minutes," Bot said. "He had me push on his hands, touch my nose, write down a few things and then walk about 20 feet in the hall. When I came back into the room, he told me I had Parkinson's."
Among the things the doctor observed was Bot's face was expressionless, one of the key symptoms of Parkinson's. She also didn't have much movement in her right arm while walking, And her struggle with handwriting was another sign.
"I asked him right away if there was another test I could take like an MRI or something because I was hoping I didn't have Parkinson's," Bot admitted. "But I was relieved to know it wasn't in my head. My daughter, Carmen, works at Avera and was in the room with me and asked the doctor a lot of good questions.
The medication Bot is taking was noticeable almost immediately.
"After I took the medication, I could tell by the next day that the tremoring was less and it was easier to write," she said. "I do have trouble with walking up and down stairs; down is harder than up. I have to use a railing.Bot is certainly not alone in her battle. Among those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and learning to live with the nervous system disorder is Michael J. Fox, Neil Diamond, Alan Alda, Linda Ronstadt and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Also, the late Muhammad Ali, Rev. Billy Graham and Johnny Cash also had Parkinson’s.
Closer to home, though, is numerous people living in rural areas as Bot has for many years.
“My doctor said there is a thought that more people living in the rural areas are diagnosed with Parkinson’s than those living in town,” she said. “One possibility are the herbicides and pesticides that farmers use.”
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. Symptoms start slowly. The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in one hand. While tremors may be common, the disorder may also cause stiffness or slowing of movement.
Prior to being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Bot started walking every day in December of 2020 as a way of getting some exercise, especially after being restricted during the COVID period. Through wind, rain, humidity, snow and frigid temperatures, she walked the country roads near the farm place where she and husband, Rick, live northeast of Minneota. She hasn’t missed a day yet.
“I always walk on gravel and I noticed my balance wasn’t as good as it used to be,” she said. “I didn’t think much of it. I just started using a walking stick to help with my balance.”
The best way for individuals to slow the progression of Parkinson’s is exercise. Besides continuing to walk every day, Bot goes to the YMCA in Marshall to exercise, water aerobics, swim and even shadow box.
“I want to be able to spend time with our four daughters and be able to play with my six grandchildren,” the soft-spoken Bot remarked. “So, I am going to keep exercising.”
Bot was a longtime Business teacher at Minneota and finished up her career as librarian.
Bot insists she is not a hero for forging ahead and staying positive while learning to live with Parkinson’s.
“This is the hand I’ve been dealt, but I also have my days when I think ‘Why me?’ just like everyone else,” she explained. “My heroes are those who have been dealing with Parkinson’s for years, either as a caretaker or as the one diagnosed. They have given me the strength to keep on keeping on.”
In early December, Bot began attending a free Parkinson’s support group in Marshall organized by Terry Hennen, Rita Engels and Kathy Paxton. They meet at 3:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the Adult Community Center in Marshall.
“There are around 30 people in the group,” Bot said. “It helps a lot to talk with other who are also going through this.”
Bot’s doctor suggested that she continues to stimulate her brain with puzzles, crossword puzzles and conversations with others.
“I’ve always had a goal to live to be 98 yards old,” she said. “My great grandma lived to be 97 and I wanted to make it one more year than that. So, when I was told I had Parkinson’s, I was really worried. But then my doctor told me ‘You don’t die from Parkinson’s, you die with it.’”