By Dr. Rudy Acuña
Special to the San Fernando Valley Sun/El Sol
Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, bodily functions and even thinking, is a killer.
The cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, according to the Mayo Clinic, although factors can include genes, heredity and exposure to toxins. Men are more likely to develop it than women. No two people have the exact same symptoms. It often begins in the middle of your life in your later years. While treatable — its progression can be slowed and managed with medications and exercise — there still is no cure.
Health complications include incontinence, insomnia and dementia. I passed through the first two, but my wife and daughter went through hell in trying to prevent me from falling into dementia. The worse part for me were the hallucinations, the feeling that I would not awaken from the nightmare.
My father, who had Parkinson’s, died from a fall. He could not control his bowel movements. I also cannot control my bowel movements, and would fall if I took a sharp turn. I thought nothing about it since there was no bleeding.
With each fall my health has deteriorated over the past dozen years. I’ve had over 20 falls in which I landed on my head. By accident, a gerontologist stopped my release from an emergency room visit, stating that he believed I had Parkinson’s.
The worse experience was my lack of control of my bowel movements. At the ER, I would be covered by excrement; at home, my wife constantly cleaned me. It got to the point that I became immobile. I began arguing and noticed my wife, Lupe, getting tired but instead of feeling grateful, I became more demanding.
My daughter, Angela, moved in with us as the pandemic progressed. I would threaten to run away; the problem was that I could not walk. I would text people at 3 a.m., commanding their presence at 3 a.m. I would awaken Lupe and Angela insisting someone was in the house. The hallucinations grew worse. The paranoia was so intense that I would listen and want my wife to run and answer the phone I was hearing from the hallucinations.
Often, I felt like Joe Bonham, a young World War I American soldier who awakens in a hospital bed after being caught in the blast of an exploding artillery shell. He gradually realizes that he has lost his arms, legs, and all of his face (including his eyes, ears, nose, teeth, and tongue), but that his mind functions perfectly, making him a prisoner in his own body.
I felt like I was going crazy and, in desperation, fought to awaken. Only in the care of my wife and daughter have I recovered many of my faculties although I still wet the bed. I know that I owe them my sanity, but it is hard.
I would like to thank Jesse Jackson, Michael J. Fox, and the Parkinson’s Foundation. Meanwhile my family and I are doing boxing for exercise while sitting on a chair.
Distinguished lecturer and author of 20 books, Rudy Acuña, teaching in the 1950s, earned his doctorate degree at USC and went on to be the founding chair of the Chicano/a Studies Department at CSUN where he worked for 60 years.
Rudy, thank you for sharing your hardship with your illness. My dad had dementia and his cognition was taken from him in addition to his mobility. My mother dealt with everything you wrote about. It came to the point where who’s life needed more saving. Your family has definitely been your blessing. May they continue to have love, strength and compassion. Thank you for memorable moments at CSUN. I’m proud to share that my son is in his first semester at my Alma Mater. May you continue to have strength to write because so many of us want to read it.
My thoughts are with you. El valle de San Joaquin is starting to be known as Parkinson’s alley. I really believe that it goes hand in hand with the use of pesticides, fumigated and insecticides.
Trying to get a hold of you for info on san j valley. I presume this is Gloria Hermandex my phone is 818 831 0453 right now a bit tired lupe my wife will answer aware of growth of disease in valley
Prof Acuña
I want to thank for continuing your role in teaching us, today about Parkinson’s Disease. I have the honor and privilege to teach Chicano Studies at San Diego Community College, thanks to scholars just like you. You’ve always taught us about the struggles our Chicano/Chicana Communities have historically undertaken, your latest topic in environmental health, marginalization in healthcare, and family and masculinity in Latino gerontological care. All future dissertations. Please keep writing and describing what for many of us feel as echoes when taking care of our own parents, and for others uncharted topics in this new age of heath care.
Sending you prayers for you and your familia –
Thank you Rudy for your courage, always grateful for your words and for your heart.
Professor Acuna, so sorry to hear about your current physical situation, but I am so glad that your family is staying close to you and helping you to cope with this illness.
That your family is standing by you sir.
I was at Northridge in 1971’ and took your classes and they made all the difference in the world for me to grow as a student and individual.
I will keep you an your family in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless you all and may The good Lord bless and bring you all healings.
In Jesus name. Amen
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Dr. Rodolfo Acuña:
The passion you brought to this world for the marginalized and disenfranchised people will continue in the thousands of students you impacted. You continue to inspire and educate in every season of your life. Although the storm is strong and path difficult to endure, known with confidence that you, Sir, made a difference and continue to make this world a better place because of who you are! Saludos y Bendiciones a Lupe y Angela! Love you Rudy! Professor Acuña Presente!✊🏽
It was a pleasure to meet and photograph you. Your legacy is indelible. Thanks.
Rudy – thank you for sharing your truth. I miss talking to you, un abrazo.
Rudy, I am among the thousands of people who love you for inspiring us to be authentically present. I am so grateful you are one of my most important teachers. I hold you close to my heart. May you be well.
Rudy, you will never cease to be an inspiration for so many, and particularly our youth! Best wishes to you, Lupe and Angela! You are loved.
Rudy, one of my proudest moments is to have been taught by the you and to have called you my mentor. I am sorry to hear to hear about your struggles. Thank you for sharing your story. My prayers are with you and your family. Remember that your are loved by many!
Gracias Rudy. Courageous, honest and enlightening writing. Your trademark. Thank you for your kindness and support over the years, and presently. Blessings to Lupe, Angela and you. Occupied America and your many writings, a major apparatus of Xican@ historical consciousness, and our moral compass. Write on, maistro.
Carnal, there is nothing fair about life and living, wish you and yours strength and courage. Gracias por todo