Name: Lee Bender Age: 82
WANTED FOR FIGHTING PARKINSON’S
My name is Leland Bender, better known as “Lee”.
I am 82 years old, born November 1926 in the little town of Mina, Nevada. I am one of 5 children. My father was a machinist with the railroad and my mother was a homemaker. When I was a few months old, my parents moved to the state of Washington. They purchased a 10 acre chicken farm in hopes of a better, more independent life.
Things went well, until the Great Depression hit. The chicken business became another victim of the Great Depression. Being left with only the farm, growing our own food became a way of life.
Franklin D. Roosevelt passed a Recommendation to Congress on Appropriations for Farm Seed Loans. From that we were furnished seeds for vegetables. We learned to eat differently; things like potatoes, carrots and fruits which were now the staples that became our daily meals. As time went on my love for farming grew to be my passion.
In 1945, I met the love of my life, Betty and married. With the love of farming in my heart I decided to start my own farm and make a home for my family. My brother Roy joined me in this venture. We had 80 head of milking cows and worked the land. We still had a huge garden for growing our own food. Our lives were filled with hard work, but the rewards were something I only dreamed of as a child.
Betty and I had three children and we taught our children about farming and hard work. The children learned to take care of the cows and farm the fields. My boys learned how to maintain the tractors and equipment. Life was filled with long days but, worth every moment. My life was great, I had a wonderful wife, 3 beautiful children, and the farm was doing well.
Back then, not much was thought of when using pesticides and herbicides. After all, the crops were abundant and the cows were kept to what we believed to be “healthy”. Unfortunately as time went on we found out that all these pesticides and herbicides were actually doing more harm than good. At 82 I now know just how harmful these pesticides and herbicides were. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2004. Recent studies now indicate a direct link between my farming years and my Parkinson’s disease. These harmful chemicals were used with no regard to health back then. Crops were dusted with airplanes, making the chemicals airborne. The runoff from the fields went directly into the well water we were drinking.
In 1965 I was given the opportunity to move to Chicago, IL. This was a hard decision for me. After all, farming was my life.
I was excited at the opportunity and moved my family to Chicago. Leaving behind the farm and any thought that some day my farming years would come back to play a role in my life. My new life in Chicago landed me in Maywood, Illinois where I was hired to manage a recreational and motorcycle dealership. My life was so different now. The family had adjusted to the “city” life.
In 1974 I opened my own recreational vehicle dealership. My sons became my partners. We opened our dealership in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Business was great and life was once again rich and fulfilling. We had a “family business.”
With my wife and children at my side, we grew too be the largest dealership in the area. We had contracts with GM and sold custom vehicles all over the country.
In the 70’s the economy took a turn for the worse. This time it was the price of gasoline. Gasoline prices climbed and the public was forced to cut back. One the first things familys gave up were their RV’s. ( if you couldn’t afford gas for your car, how could you afford gas for your RV? ) Our RV business was forced to close. I spent many years after the RV dealership doing all kinds of things. We were enjoying life and never thought about retiring. My wife and I were proud of our life’s accomplishments. We were settling into a calmer more serene life.
As Betty and I were enjoying our new life, Betty was diagnosed with the devastating news that she had cancer. She was a strong woman and fought hard against this disease. Unfortunately, after 12 difficult years, she lost her battle.
Losing Betty was the hardest thing I have ever dealt with.. I gave up hope. I gained weight. I became unwilling to go out into the world and make a new life for myself. I knew in my heart this was not good for me, but I had little desire to do anything else. My health began to fail and I knew I was doomed! (The thought of giving it all up with pills was a real option.)
I had two choices, live with myself unhealthy and miserable, or do something about it. I decided that that I was not going to be living a life filled with drugs to treat the symptoms of my illness, but find a way to overcome the illness. I began eating better and exercising. Keep in mind, getting off the sofa was a chore for me at this point.
Once I decided that my only “True” option was life, I was on my way to a better life. I started weight training at the local gym. This not only improved my health and helped me lose the weight, but showed me what real hope is. I was now pain free and drug free. It was hard work, but I have always known that hard work pays off and it did.
I became somewhat of a celebrity at the local gym. They couldn’t believe a man of my years could do what I could do. Once again I was back. I was feeling healthy; my weight was under control and I knew nothing could stop me now!
In November of 2003 at age 77 I went to China. Now healthy and happy I was excited about my trip. While in China I noticed something was wrong. I was moving slower and movements weren’t as easy. How could this be? I work out, eat well, and get plenty of rest. Once back at home I noticed things were not getting any better. I went to the doctor and after 6 months they diagnosed me with Parkinson’s disease. Wow, how could this happen? I do everything right, yet I was sick, really sick!
Through conversations with my doctors, I learned that the pesticides and herbicides I used on the farm could be the cause of my Parkinson’s. Once again faced with two options: get back on the sofa or fight back, I saw only one option!
So here I am today at 82 in stage 3 of Parkinson’s. I am still exercising as much as I can; I stay as active as possible. I continue to eat healthy foods, began taking supplements and I know in my heart, I am not going back to that sofa!
I hope you enjoy my website and feel free to contact me for tips on how to make your life with Parkinson’s just a little easier!
Remember: Helplessness induces hopelessness; Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow!
Lee
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