My name is Bernie Mezritz, I am 76 years old and have been dealing with Parkinson's for 32 years.

I wrote a book My Body Electric

I am in an advanced stage of the disease and have had DBS surgery....

In My Body Electric, I wrote the story of my journey as a Parkinson’s sufferer. The title of this memoir, “My Body Electric,” is a tribute to the American poet Walt Whitman. He published the poem “I Sing the Body Electric,” five years before the American Civil War in 1855, in the context of Whitman’s opposition to slavery. It was a celebration of the human body that saw the beauty in every part of a typical man and woman. In this poem, Walt Whitman explores the physical body in connection with the soul. These are evocative contacts that are likened to electricity.

Parkinson's disease is caused by electrical transmission errors in the neurons of patients with depleted dopamine stores.

I am expanding the challenge of carrying this disease in a civilized society, where the disabled are recognized by the public. I maintain an optimistic outlook, despite the low expectations of my performance. I love my body despite my disabilities, and I cruise through life trying to experience the stimuli. The best I can. Here is the story of my determination as I try to cope creatively with my chronic illness. The cover photo shows the Ryoanji Pond, which is part of a temple in Kyoto, Japan. It conveys spiritual peace, which is a state of mind that I cherish.

Attached is a link to purchase the book on Amazon.

Community members who read it found it encouraging and very important.