In 2013, at the age of 36, Mollie Lombardi was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Six years later, she underwent brain surgery to implant a deep brain stimulation device that now helps manage her symptoms. She writes about the challenges of young-onset PD, including working full time, travel, and navigating the joys of being a wife, daughter, auntie, sister, and friend. Her column, “The Unshakable Optimist,” is about not letting the tremors of life get you down and the benefits of a positive attitude when battling a chronic illness every day.
The word “fine” can mean many things, from superb to satisfactory to precise, and even delicate, depending on its usage. Merriam-Webster also lists its synonyms, which include acceptable, decent, middling, and passable. When I…
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One of the many annoying, frustrating, and mysterious symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is micrographia. Micrographia is when your handwriting gets teeny-tiny and illegible over time. Like gait freezing, it’s one of…
I’ve always been pretty organized and logical. I like knowing the rules and the “why” behind things. My brain looks for patterns I can rely on to predict or explain everything. Growing up in…
The name of my column is “The Unshakable Optimist,” so you might expect that I’m always happy. That idea would make most of my friends snort with laughter. I’m fun, but I can…
Before the pandemic, I traveled for work frequently — 40-plus weeks a year attending meetings and conferences for over a decade. I’d gotten used to life on the road, but early-onset Parkinson’s disease…
Being told you have a chronic illness can make you feel different from the rest of the world. And when there’s something unique about that illness or diagnosis, it can make you feel even…
It’s a big deal to be the girl who has Parkinson’s. It’s also a big deal to be the guy whose wife has Parkinson’s. Back in September 2013, I was diagnosed with…
I have Parkinson’s disease. I was just 36 when I was diagnosed. It was a devastating blow. While I’ll never think of it as a blessing, it has been an incredible teacher, and…
I’m often asked what it feels like to have Parkinson’s disease. My answer? Just plain weird. As frequently as I’ve tried to explain it, I just can’t do it justice. One of my…
Travel is a big part of the holidays for many families. Whether you’re driving down the street to attend a party for a few hours or flying halfway across the globe for weeks, these…
Parkinson’s disease has many facets, and research into its progression and treatment is constantly evolving. So is my health. Navigating all the changes takes a team, and over the past 11 years since…
In the fall of 2012, I was moving fast. I had a big job and was becoming known in my industry. I traveled for work almost nonstop, working with clients and speaking at conferences.
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