Columns

When you are diagnosed with a chronic and complex disease like Parkinson’s, it can be like learning a new language. Words like “gait” (the body’s posture while walking), “dyskinesia” (uncontrolled, involuntary movements affecting the arms, legs, head, or whole body), “micrographia” (tiny handwriting), and other strange-sounding…

Grief has a way of slipping in when you least expect it. Generally, I am a cheerful person, but lately I’ve felt a bit … sad? Apathetic? Angry? The correct answer is all of the above. Is it because I have Parkinson’s disease? Or was it triggered by the…

It still feels like yesterday when Tony Romo was having a monster game. By early in the third quarter, the hometown Dallas Cowboys were up 27-3, and it looked like they were finally going to pull it off. Then it unraveled. Three interceptions later, they had lost 34-30. Another season…

There’s a famous thought experiment called the Ship of Theseus. You replace one plank, then another, then another — until none of the original planks remain. The question is: Is it still the same ship? In living with Parkinson’s disease and building Brain Storm — a brain-training…

Songs can be a powerful trigger for memories. I can’t hear Kermit the Frog singing “Rainbow Connection” without thinking of my family and my childhood spent playing Muppets records. I hear “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel, and instantly, the image of John Cusack holding a…

One of my dearest friends, Jen, became a caregiver to her mom while she was barely more than a child herself. Over the many years of our friendship, I’ve gradually uncovered the pieces of her journey as a caregiver. Growing up, Jen’s family included herself, her mother, her twin brother,…

Last in a series. Read part one.  In my previous column, Rachel Dolhun of the Michael J. Fox Foundation shared practical tips for managing challenges like stress and jet lag when living with Parkinson’s. This week, she offers insights on navigating specialized travel services and accommodations, and preparing for…

My cousins and I were sitting at the kitchen table, eating a meal like we’d done countless times before. The room smelled like fresh-off-the-grill Texas barbecue, and as usual, the conversation bounced easily between us. I watched my uncle Brandon pick up his fork. His hand wobbled, knocking the food…

Developing a chronic, degenerative condition like Parkinson’s disease is a raw deal. It’s also horrible when it comes at the age of 36, as it did for me. You’re entering the prime of life and career, and BLAM! Hello, early-onset Parkinson’s disease. It’s totally unfair to young spouses…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at age 45 in March 2010 marked the beginning of…