Columns

Fall has a way of bringing back certain memories. Cooler weather (thank God, because it has been brutal!) makes me think about football, the changing leaves, and, unfortunately, dead deer. That last one is courtesy of Uncle Brandon. He loved deer hunting. Growing up in the Piney Woods of Texas,…

I was very lucky to have a relationship with a truly remarkable neurologist for more than 12 years. I started seeing her right after I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. The first time I met her, she told me, “You’re too young; you have too much to do.

Fifteen years have passed since my husband, Eli, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He first noticed his cramped handwriting had become illegible, but after that, he didn’t experience much change for a long time. With each passing year, however, additional symptoms cropped up. Now he is compromised in almost…

“Brandon, remove your hat before we go up in the Lord’s house.” My aunt said it under her breath, but pointedly. Uncle Brandon wasn’t hearing any of it. His baseball caps were part of his signature style. He was an East Texas countryman from the Piney Woods, and hats…

I recently started listening to the audio version of Paul Davies’ book “The Demon in the Machine: How Hidden Webs of Information Are Solving the Mystery of Life.” Given my experience with Parkinson’s disease, I was prepared to recognize the title character. Instead, I met a surprisingly helpful little…

When my dad, Jack, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, the lens of his life dramatically shifted within minutes. While still in a fog, my parents needed to know what they were up against and create a plan. Most people associate dopamine with pleasure, but this powerful neurotransmitter…

I have written about both of my parents before, and the lessons their own lives have taught me about living with Parkinson’s disease. I’ve also written about how much my dad’s support has meant to me over the years. Now it’s my turn to support him. If you looked…

“Mr. Dynasty. Why do we have the pleasure of seeing you?” Uncle Brandon’s doctor already knew something wasn’t right. His next appointment wasn’t for another two weeks, but we’d called to ask if he could see him that day. Still, that didn’t stop him from greeting Uncle Brandon the way…

If you’ve been a regular reader of my column over the past few years (thank you!), you may have noticed I took some time off this summer. I work full time at another job, in addition to writing this column weekly. And, you know, I live with Parkinson’s disease.

Several years ago, I wrote a column that described the sense of presence that Parkinson’s disease brought to our lives after my dad’s diagnosis in 2013. After the whirlwind of the diagnosis and navigating the logistics of what it meant for my dad to have the condition, we began…