Followers of my blog will have noticed a slowdown in my output lately. Even as recently as January I could be chunking out three items per day, but by late February and March I was struggling to output that many articles per week. The reason for this, as it turns out, is that I have Parkinson’s disease, and have been finding it increasingly difficult to use a keyboard and type efficiently. This brief entry today marks a return for me. What you are reading has been dictated using dictation software. Picture me, sitting at my computer, hands folded behind my head, and me dictating openly while I listen to music. Right now I’m listening to the Searching for Sugarman soundtrack by Rodriguez.
I have to say it has been most frustrating for me lately! Everything I do in my life, my work and my interests, is about telling stories, and when the doctor told me that I had Parkinson’s disease I went through a brief grief period in which I pictured life where I would be unable to communicate adequately. Thank goodness technology has evolved as far as it has.
So today I have a brief message to you and to my friends in Cambodia. Happy New Year and my best wishes to all of you. We are all on interesting journeys, and I am reminded that while I have a few challenges of my own these pale in comparison to the challenges faced by the young people I know in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Bless you all.
Savong School Cambodia 
Duncan – so sorry to hear about your latest challenge with Parkinson’s. I am sure you will face this challenge with the same passion, determination and commitment which you have demonstrated in your support for Savong and the children of Cambodia. I wish you all the very best, and look forward to your continued blogging now with sexy new technology!
my biggest challenge so far with the technology is in teaching the software to recognise the difference between Siem Reap and “see them and weep” which puts quite a different spin on things. How I love going to Siem Reap.
Hi Duncan, very sorry to hear the news, but modern drugs can work extremely well to control the symptoms. Hope all goes well and this doesn’t slow up your fantastic work in Cambodia.
Regards,
Dan
I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis & the implications of that. I hope you continue to find ways to work around the limitations that you will encounter. Be kind to yourself.
Wishing you the best, Duncan. Happy Khmer New Year and hope it’s a good one ahead for all of us.
Leslie Anne said it quite well, Duncan. You appear to be an innovative fellow that eventually views life’s challenges as another curious adventure. At the same time, I will keep you in my good thoughts and prayers.
John and Mary Majkut
Thanks Mary.
All the best Duncan! Sounds like you’re keeping really positive. Thanks for everything you’ve done for the children and community of Bakong! x
Thanks Joe – to be honest I feel as if I’ve been the lucky passenger on a Cambodian voyage. As for Parkinsons; well, so long as I can write words down, then I’ll be okay.
I’m sorry to hear about your Parkinson’s diagnosis. I don’t know much about it but I really hope it doesn’t stop your tireless work in aid of those people who need and deserve it most.
I’m not sure if it’s PC anymore to say this, but I’ll pray for you.
Nick, your prayers are terribly un-PC of course, (the PC brigade are, I’m sure, enjoying Easter Monday today,) and deeply appreciated as is your ongoing support of Moeuncheat.