You aren't alone in the stares

You aren't alone in the stares

You look at yourself in the mirror, a quivering head and face stares back, you wonder who you are and why has this happened.

You look around a restaurant and believe that all eyes are on you, since you can’t hide your trembling hand as the fork rises to your mouth. Then you lift your glass to drink using both hands and the liquid splashes like ocean waves in a hurricane, wishing you could become invisible.

You look at people staring, as you stand in the checkout line of the grocery store trying to slide your credit card and sign your name, not able to hide your shaky hand.

You look at people around the doctor’s office or emergency room as you try to fill out forms, believing that all eyes are on your trembling hand as they scribble words on paper that no one will be able to read.

You look around a crowded room full of friends, coworkers, and clients and see the buffet table. You know that you can’t hold a plate in one hand and use the other to dip your food. Your plate would be like a kite in a heavy windstorm flapping in your hand.

You want to hide when well-meaning people come up to you and ask ignorant questions; “Why are you so nervous?” and the good one, “Stop shaking.” Well, you want to blurt out, “If I could stop shaking I would,” but you don’t say anything. Then there’s the other group of people that don’t ask, they just stare wondering if you’re on drugs, an alcoholic or just weird.

But, the answer of the stares is really simple, you have to face the stares, tell your story. Remember you aren’t alone; you are one of millions of people around the world that had Essential Tremor. We are a mighty group full of strong people, and with awareness the stares will diminish, maybe not entirely, but people will begin to understand. We will tell our story.

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