STEVIE WONDER (FUL)

I submitted an entry about dad into a contest  http://www.parkinson.org/superstars

 I am my dad’s biggest fan.

Hy Schecter’s an inspiration. As the oldest of four sons, I eagerly share as eloquent an essay as I can muster; dad is worthy of any accolade.

I testify to dad’s positive attitude. At age ninety and physically afflicted with Parkinson’s for many years. Afflicted, not defeated. Dad’s a fighter- indefatigable in the truest sense of the word.

After graduating from medical school as a neurologist, brother Jay noticed something unusual in dad’s gait. He suggested a Parkinson’s test. “Preposterous,” dad thought. He wondered if money spent on Jay’s education had been wasted. How could he make such a wild diagnosis? Unfortunately, Jay was right.

For years, the disease progressed slowly. Dad’s passion was golf and his beloved country club. Amazingly, he picked up his first club at age fifty. Three years later, dad was voted most improved golfer on Long Island, NY, by “Golf Digest Magazine” (one of numerous awards and trophies that fill his apartment).

It was only a matter of time before dad had to hang up his clubs. He could still hold a (shaky) hand of cards to play poker or gin with the boys. Lately, this too proves difficult.

Telling dad he couldn’t do something only encouraged him. His drive moved mountains. When Rubik’s Cube came out, dad stayed up all night to solve the puzzle. He did. That’s how he handled everything. Nothing was impossible for dad to achieve. His incredible success in business was proof. As for Parkinson’s, dad would “proudly fight this nasty plight.”

Mom complained about his dyskinesia; wild movements upset her. I told mom it wasn’t something controlable and she should “get with the program.” The opposite, becoming frozen, was far worse. “Think of him like Stevie Wonder moving to music and rhythm only he hears,” To all of us who know dad he is a Superstar-Stevie Wonderful.

 A bit of Photoshop magic for the master magician himself, a Superstar to many.                                                 

 

 

CENSUS REPORT of the street in Brooklyn, NY where dad grew up -1920 here (before dad was born) 1930-  here

Some photos and "accolades" >

The "Shirley Seigel" Award from the Luggage and Leather Goods Association 

 

 

 

An Impossible Lie

 

Not to Hy

 

He Sank It

 

 

FORE

 

Concentrate

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