My Resolutions for Parkinson’s Are Exercise, Nutrition, Awareness
Congratulations! We made it to 2023! This is our year to turn our lives around. It’s time for us to make our New Year’s resolutions. I challenge you to choose any number of aspects…
Embrace the Shake
— Samantha Felder
Samantha, or “Young’n” was diagnosed nine years ago, at age 21, with Parkinson’s disease. She graduated from college with a degree in education, and recently relocated to Florida from Wisconsin. She loves to travel and is obsessed with Disney. Fun fact: The person who owned her house last was part of the Disney family!
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Getting dentures reminds me of the importance of oral healthcare
Growing up, I was often told, “A healthy mouth equals a happy brain.” I wish I would’ve taken this advice to heart sooner, because now I’m learning the hard way. At 32, I’m in…
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Reflecting on 11 Years With Early-onset Parkinson’s Disease
Every November brings a rush of emotions for me, and Nov. 1 and 21 are the most emotional of all. On Nov. 1, 2011, my grandfather passed away. We had a close relationship, and losing…
Travel? Yes, Please! Here Are Some Tips to Make It Better.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the world doesn’t stop when you get Parkinson’s disease. Life keeps going, and you simply have to try to keep up. Even though you have this disease,…
How REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Affects Me as a Parkinson’s Patient
As I close my eyes, my body gears up for the night’s adventures, which begin to appear in a whirlwind of color. Buildings tower above me, reflecting the warm sun in the sky. I…
Living With Intent: A Speech Therapist Explains the Parkinson Voice Project Strategy
I recently had a FaceTime conversation with Brittany Dunnum, a speech therapist in Lewiston, Idaho, who works with Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and utilizes methods developed by the nonprofit Parkinson Voice Project. I…
To Drive or Not to Drive: That Is the Question if You Have Parkinson’s
I often get asked if a person can drive after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The answer is yes. Some are able to drive for many years after a diagnosis. However, we must…
Cycling His Way Through Life With Parkinson’s: The Story of John Alexander
As Parkinson’s patients, we’re often told that we should exercise regularly. Exercise offers us many physical and mental health benefits and may help slow disease progression. A variety of exercise programs and classes…
Who’s Up First in Your Team?
Spring is finally here, and when I think spring, I think baseball. Just like in baseball, where each team has a roster of players, Parkinson’s patients have their own teams of professionals in their…
A Conversation With Advocate Ann Kopf About the Aware in Care Kit
When a person advocates for themselves, they can achieve great things. I recently had a conversation with an advocate for the Parkinson’s Foundation, Ann Kopf. Ann lives in Milwaukee and works with different…
Hallucinations Can Be a Scary Side Effect of Parkinson’s
Do you see or hear things that others don’t? According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 20%–40% of Parkinson’s patients say they’ve experienced hallucinations or delusions. The foundation’s website states, “Hallucinations are when someone sees,…
How to Advocate for the Parkinson’s Community
The word “advocacy” alone can send people running for the hills. I’ll admit, when I first decided to advocate for those of us with Parkinson’s disease, I was a little scared. Because I’m only…
Tapering Ropinirole Caused Me Some Scary Side Effects
I’m back! Not just figuratively, but also literally. I recently took some time off to get my health in check. I was in the process of changing medications, and my neurologist had warned me…
‘Movin’ It’ With Hip Hop Dance Classes for People With Parkinson’s
“I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, move it. I like to move it!” These dance tune lyrics, interpreted in the animated children’s movie “Madagascar,” reflect an unfortunate reality…
Navigating a Career With Early-onset Parkinson’s Disease
When a person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at a young age, many thoughts swirl through their head. Once the dust starts to settle, they’ll likely start thinking about their career. Will they be…
Dear Parkinson’s, I’m Breaking Up With You
Dear Parkinson’s disease (PD), Wow, I can’t believe that we’ve been together for nearly 10 years. Our relationship has been a roller-coaster ride, that’s for sure. We’ve had our ups and downs — well,…
Advice from the Parkinson’s Community for Newly Diagnosed Patients
Imagine moving to a brand-new town, thousands of miles away from anyone you know. How would you feel after a few days? Weeks? Months? The feeling of isolation that might gnaw at your heart…
