Why is navigating a boat a lot like dealing with Parkinson's?

     Here is a photo of our chart plotter from a week ago, it is suppose to show the correct course for safe water.  The white areas are suppose to have enough water for safe passage, the light blue is marginal water depth at best and the darker blue is water too shallow to float the boat. The light magenta colored line running down the middle of the white to the left of the boat is supposedly the NOAA charted safe route and what we are suppose to follow; and the dark red line is the computer telling me I am driving into danger and to turn left quick. Last, the black dotted line is our actual course. As you can see it appears we are way off course heading towards the marsh and/or running aground on lighter green island.  What the plotter did NOT show was a very thin 30-40' wide sliver of just-deep-enough water between the far red marker and the marsh directly above it - right where there is suppose to be no water at all. So we SLOWLY eased past that last red marker to the edge of the marsh and did a hard left turn.  Had we navigated solely by this supposedly state-of-the-art system and NOAA guidance we would have been high and dry and damaged by running aground.  Oh, and the white area that is suppose to have plenty of water, it had sea gulls standing in the middle of it.   Most important and for the record, The Admiral navigated this one while I drove during heavy rain, she earned her pay that day.  

What's my point in all this and what the heck does this have to do with Parkinson's?  This navigation hazard has been a boon for local tow boat and salvage companies but to me this poorly marked shoal is like fighting Parkinsons. You must ADAPT!

•  Keep your wits about you and take control of the issue, not visa-versa; I guarantee you the tail does not wag this dog.
• Look for every opportunity to keep moving forward. We certainly could not stay where we were on that river.  Push on!  Kinda like doing physical therapy or yoga if you have PD.
• Don't believe everything you read on a chart plotter or the doom and gloom you read on the web about Parkinson's.  Surround yourself with positive energy and think optimistically.  
• Opportunities to overcome a challenge may exist but they are often well hidden, you have to work hard and look hard.  Just like volunteering for drug studies for Parkie's, exercise, physical therapy.  
• Don't be afraid to push yourself and take that calculated risk.  I did not know if the water was deep enough at the last turn, but my confidence in Becky with her watching the plotter, color and speed of the water, shape of the waves, etc. all lead to a good decision. It worked.  

Oh, while we navigated this little challenge did I think about Parkinson's?  NOPE.

I encourage all Parkinson patients out there to take a swing at the disease today, if only today and maybe, just maybe, you will surprise yourself and bloody Parkinson's nose.  Trust me, it feels good. REAL GOOD.  

To close.  It has been a very hectic 2 weeks home for the holidays.  I return to the boat on 12/31 as friends and brother Bill join me for some segments.  I promise more updates.