In one of his trainings, Tony Robbins asks to consider how you internally respond to the phrase,
‘”I hope this turns out well.”
He suggests, and I agree, that when this sentence is spoken, there is a hidden message that “this” won’t turn out well!
There is a sense that this kind of “hope” is the hope of winning the lottery! Maybe yes, but probably not!
As a PKD patient, what is it that you hope for?
You hope for a cure.
Well, that’s a good thing to hope for. If you’re young, this hope may be realized. If you’re not so young, a cure, should it come, may come too late for you.
The thing about this kind of hope is that you are desiring something that is not in your control to make happen! (Unless you are a research biologist!)
Let’s look at another word: Expect.
What can PKD patients expect?
Most PKD patients can expect some sort of symptoms that will affect their lives to a significant degree.
They can expect to be highly involved with the medical profession (and the insurance industry as well!)
They can expect to make adjustments in the relationships, and careers.
They can expect to make shifts in their lifestyles.
And…with education, support, (and perhaps some coaching), they can expect to develop and apply attitudes and skills that will make those adjustments in such a way as to minimize their negative impact, and maximize the quality of life possible for you.
We do not control the fact that we have PKD. We can not control whether or not a cure is in our individual futures.
But, we can control how proactive we are in obtaining the latest information about our disease. We can control how we comply with the medical protocols prescribed to us.
And, we can seek out support from those who are ahead of us on the PKD Odyssey.
As a Life Coach,I will support you on your Odyssey, not just by passively providing understanding and a ready ear to listen to your situation, but also to provide encouragement and motivation to overcome those inevitable obstacles that you will come upon.
It is one thing to hope for something good that you can’t control.
It’s another thing to know what you can control and what you can’t, and to take control of what you can and expect the best of what the situation can provide!
I expect to hear from you!
Peace and Blessings!
Coach Richie Perl
Certified Professional Coach
Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Thank you, Richie. You’re right: Sitting around passively, waiting and hoping for a cure, is depressing. But we have a lot more control than you describe. And the actions within our control go way beyond our attitude:
* We can raise money for the PKD Foundation, which will hasten a cure.
* We can tell people about PKD. Raising awareness will lead to an increase in congressional funding for PKD research — which will hasten a cure.
* We can go to Washington each year with United on the Hill to lobby for a cure. If Washington’s too far, we can contact our own congresspersons and senators and let them know how important PKD research is to their constituents.
* We can donate our own money, which will hasten a cure.
I know a few people who are not research biologists, but whose financial generosity has hastened a cure far more than the work of any research biologist.
Raising money, raising awareness, calling Congress, donating money: All these things are in our control. When we do them, we bring a cure closer, and we feel better.
So help raise some money for the PKD Foundation, folks! You’ll bring a cure sooner, and you’ll feel better, to boot. It works for me, and for many volunteers I know.
Best,
Bill
Great points, Bill!
Yet…there some aspects of PKD (or any illness) that money may not cure.
Money might not comfort a PKD patient whose transplant failed.
Money might not help the child of a parent whose time is occupied by dialysis.
Money might not help the emotions of a young PKD patient who feels isolated and is afraid that he/she won’t experience a deep relationship.
Money might not help a patient whose family keeps distant.
The PKD Foundation is a great institution.
But it can’t provide love.
Peace and Blessings!
Coach Richie Perl