Navigating the effects of Parkinson’s disease on speech, part 1
First in a series. I recently heard a rumor that I wasn’t doing very well. An old friend dropped by and spoke to my husband, John. The friend said he’d heard from someone else…
Living My Best Life — Christine Scheer
Christine Scheer was diagnosed in 2015, at the age of 54, with Parkinson’s disease. She is a retired chef who lives on a farm with her husband, John, in London, Ontario, Canada. She firmly believes in the power of exercise to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s. Her hope for her column, “Living My Best Life,” is that she can get conversations started and raise awareness by engaging those in the PD community and beyond.
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Navigating the effects of Parkinson’s disease on speech, part 2
Second in a series. Read part one. Every Tuesday I go on a walk with my Parkinson’s buddies. I started this “walk ‘n’ talk” group after my deep brain stimulation (DBS)…
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How I’m changing my mindset to realize my full potential
In the fall of 1986, I worked as a chef at the Black Swan Café in London, Ontario, Canada. The café was on Richmond Street, one of the city’s busier streets for restaurants and…
Advocating for yourself as a patient can be hard, but it’s crucial
In 2015, during the early days of my Parkinson’s diagnosis, everything was a blur and I didn’t know where to turn. I had just started seeing a new physiotherapist whom I immediately…
Fitness, friendships, and fun: The benefits of boxing with Parkinson’s
When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015, I didn’t know anyone else with the disease. Then I joined Rock Steady Boxing, a program designed specifically for those of us with…
Parkinson’s disease fundraisers can actually be fun, I’ve found
It’s that time of year again: time for our annual Walk for Parkinson’s. I hate asking people for money, even for such a worthwhile cause as our local Parkinson’s Society here in…
How I’m doing 3 years after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a…
Becoming a grandparent with Parkinson’s prompts joy, worry
We’re going to be grandparents! My husband, John, and I couldn’t be more excited. Grandma, Nanny, Grannie, or Gram — I don’t care what this baby calls me. I look forward to the (hopefully)…
Parkinson’s tremor vs. the gynecologist: An unexpected battle
I visited my family doctor several months ago regarding some issues related to being a woman “of a certain age” on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Did you know that estrogen is neuroprotective? I’d…
A study on Parkinson’s and exercise affirms I’m on the right track
For the past couple weeks, I’ve had the post-holiday blues. I’ve also been training for a 5K road race in June. Both of these things have left me exhausted. All I can think about…
When sleep and Parkinson’s disease don’t behave as allies
Lying down and sleeping seems like such a natural thing to do. I remember when one of my mother’s caregivers said to me, “I finally got your mother to lie down.” What? My mother…
When Parkinson’s anxiety, Google Maps, and texting collide
I’m fortunate to have two daughters who are my pride and joy. We get along extremely well, and they’ve always been supportive of me, especially during my Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2015. After I…
