I’m Optimistic, Are You?

One of the many 4th of July family reunions

This is a story of a husband to one, a father to four, grandfather to twelve, great-grandfather to fourteen, and friend to many.

Born of German immigrants, Alvin Schultz, met his future wife at the county fair in Iowa. He and Marie were married on October 28, 1945 and resided in their comfortable home on their farm. The farm was home to cows, pigs, corn, soybeans, cats, dogs, rabbits and eventually, children. Alvin and Marie raised three boys and a girl.

Over time the children grew and had families of their own. Alvin and Marie moved into town.  Every year Alvin was asked to ride one of his beloved John Deere tractors in the 4^th of July parade.  And every winter he decorated that tractor with Christmas lights in his front yard.  Alvin was known throughout town as a joker.  When walking into his house one had to be prepared to catch flying objects.  His favorite was to throw an egg. Only when his poor, terrified victim caught it did they realize the egg was rubber. To honor his favorite dog that had passed, Duchess, a cement statue of a German Shepard sat on the porch.  When walking up to the door, Alvin would ask his guests to pet the dog.  Just as their hand got close he would “bark” loudly causing even the calmest person to jump.  He had nicknames for everyone.  I wasn’t Erin, I was Ernie.  And he loved to call my name until I finally responded with a “What?!” His response was always the same, “Oh nothing, just calling my dog.” As a kid, it was very frustrating. 

It started with some loss of balance and then came the trembling.  Alvin was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson Disease.  Then came the shuffling of his feet, the rigidity in his trunk which altered his walking, and his handwriting was getting smaller. He became more and more dependent until Marie had no choice but to let professionals help with his care. While in the nursing home Alvin received physical and occupational therapy to preserve his quality of life. The disease took its toll on the family.  This once vibrant and boisterous man was now so soft spoken he was finding it hard to communicate.  Alvin lost his fight on January 7, 2007, less than a year before his sixth grandchild’s wedding and just a year past his own 60^thanniversary.

Alvin and Marie's 60th wedding anniversary

The point of this story is to make you aware of Parkinson Disease. It is not just something that affects Mohammed Ali or Michael J Fox. It affects normal, happy families.  It affects husbands, fathers, and grandfathers. My grandfather. 

If you have been touched by this story I ask you to help me support APDA. The American Parkinson Disease Association was formed in 1961 to “ease the burden and find a cure for Parkinson Disease.” The cause of Parkinson Disease remains unknown and it is a progressive, debilitating disease. Their organization “focuses its energies on research, patient support, education, and raising public awareness of the disease.” On April 15^th the Arizona APDA, Banner Health-Thunderbird, and the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy students of Midwestern University will be hosting the first annual Optimism Run. This 5k/1k Fun Run will be held on the beautiful campus of Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ.  You can support our cause in a couple very noble ways. First, you can click on this link (Optimism Run 2012) to participate in our event. Secondly, you can support the work of the APDA by clicking on this link (Donor Drive).  Thirdly, if you would rather donate your time, contact me for volunteer opportunities at the race.  

Thank you for taking the time to read Alvin’s story.  Help me in spreading the “Optimism!”