Parkinson's Disease - Not a Joking Matter

When Cari and I started our Social Security Disability blog, I doubt either one of us would have thought we would ever mention the name of Kanye West in it. Unfortunately, we are mentioning it now and not in connection with a positive story.

Kanye West is no stranger to controversy. At a minimum, he is known for being brash, outspoken, and arrogant , though I am sure some of you reading this could substitute some better adjectives that may more accurately describe this man. In fact, I think President Obama’s remark that Kanye West is a “jackass” is likely appropriate. However, I understand that in the entertainment world shock value sells and that there is often the perception that there is no such thing as “bad publicity.” As long as it is harmless, I have no problem with it. I usually can just ignore it.

Occasionally, however, a celebrity or public figure does something that is so offensive that it warrants discussion and while I am hesitant to call further attention to this (ummm…let me choose my word carefully) “jackass,” I am going to do so to address a larger issue – the insensitivity  that certain people have to those with profound disabilities.

Kanye West recently released a new album called “Yeezus.” In the song entitled “On Sight,” West describes how he gets a woman “shaking like Parkinson’s.” Full disclosure… I am editing the exact phrase he uses because this blog is G-rated, but let’s just say he uses a more offensive term than the feminine noun “woman” but that would require a whole other blog to address this lyrical choice.

What I want to address in this blog is his insensitivity towards the Parkinson’s Disease community by making a casual and distasteful reference to getting a woman trembling like she has Parkinson’s Disease.  It makes me wonder if West is just grossly insensitive to those who suffer from this progressive and debilitating disease OR is he just completely ignorant to all the trials and tribulations that people with Parkinson’s Disease go through on a daily basis?

I prefer to think of people as being ignorant opposed to apathetic. Stupidity breeds confusion, while apathy to others in dire situations is an indication (to me at least) that you are devolving as a human. Thus, I am just going to hope that Kanye West simply doesn’t understand how serious and devastating Parkinson’s Disease can be.

For our clients who deal with it every day, you know exactly what I am talking about. For those of you out there who have never known someone with Parkinson’s, let me tell you that experiencing tremors is just one of the many symptoms that people with Parkinson’s must deal with. While tremors are often a hallmark of Parkinson’s Disease, other physical symptoms include rigidity, bradykinesia, balance issues, and gait immobilization. People with Parkinson’s Disease can have difficulty with communications and suffer from word-finding and aphrasia.  A host of cognitive and mental health issues can accompany a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, including depression, concentration and memory issues, and in its advanced stages, dementia. Parkinson’s Disease is incurable, and while there are medications out there to manage the symptoms, Parkinson’s is progressive in nature.  For more information on Parkinson’s Disease, please visit our website at:

http://www.westcoastdisability.com/The-Social-Security-Disability-Claims-Process/Impairments-Physical/Parkinson-s-Disease.shtml

Additionally, the America Parkinson’s Disease Association (“APDA”) has a wealth of information and support for the Parkinson’s Disease community. Here is a link to their website:

http://www.apdaparkinson.org/

I happen to think it would be beneficial for Kanye West to visit with one of the local APDA chapters, so he can understand why the Parkinson’s Disease community was outraged by his poor choice in lyrics.   As a disability advocate, I can’t help but take offense when a life altering disease is discussed glibly and in what appears to be a poor attempt at a comedic lyric. It isn’t creative. It isn’t shocking. It just makes you a bigger jackass.

Got a question that you need answered? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with valuable information on our website that may help you navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to shoot us an email at info@westcoastdisability.com or call us at (800) 459-3017.