My husband was a CEO of 3 different NYC hospitals and thus he was a highly functioning individual before his illness. In his retirement he had about 10 years of relative health and was able to have a second career as a sculptor- taking classes, participating in art shows, and selling some of his art. Also, he had many, many interests that he continued to pursue until the Parkinson’s made it impossible. Such interests as choir singing, meetings with his folk song guitar group, and playing folk music. He had a wonderful voice and had the folk song repertoire down pat.
This illness was difficult for him in that he felt that he could no longer be creative.
I often referred to him as our Renaissance man when talking about him to friends and family. I miss most his zest for living, his intellectualism, continual wish for learning, his telling of jokes and having fun, and my very interesting and wonderful life with him. He was also a gentle and warm man with many friends throughout his life.