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Uncle Brandon’s red recliner matched absolutely nothing in the living room. Yet somehow, it was the star player on a winning team, or maybe the lead singer of a popular group. It stood out, and everyone noticed. His friends joked that the ratty-looking chair threw off an otherwise rustic, traditional…

We opened the door to a chilly cellar that ran the length of the house and descended into the half-finished basement. A musty scent filled the air. It was a portal opening into a 1970s weightlifting gym lit by a 24-inch basement window. My dad, Jack, had been a weightlifter…

I have spoken previously about how lucky I am to have such a strong support network, including my wonderful husband. No one signs up for a devastating health journey when they say “I do” and promise to love through sickness and health. But you come to learn the true…

Home is where most people go to relax, revive themselves, and prepare for the upcoming challenges of life. When it comes to creating a comfortable and supportive home for someone with Parkinson’s disease, the challenges are more nuanced. Suddenly, home not only needs to be a place of restoration,…

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…