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“Why are you standing on top of that chair?” Dr. C sees Neo precariously balanced on the chair under the kitchen ceiling light. Neo is the part of Dr. C’s brain that functions as his inner voice. “This lightbulb has been flickering. It’s so annoying! I’m trying to fix that.”…

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, mostly downs when you’re around. It’s time for me to take a stand and tell you…

The COVID-19 pandemic has led many of us to realize how much relationships, interactions with others, and social support mean to us. We as humans were created to be social. For people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other chronic illnesses, the isolation, anxiety, and depression may feel even greater. During…

I once had to attend a team-building and stress-reducing exercise event for work that involved immersing ourselves in nature. Yes, there was tree hugging, leaf exploration, trail walking, and stargazing. The point of the exercise was for nature to help us get in touch with ourselves and each other. And…

Previously, I wrote about the role of the second dopamine center in Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is to monitor homeostasis regulatory systems. Regulatory system malfunction is connected to PD due to insular cortex damage. In early-stage PD, this leads to episodic symptom presentation. At first, these regulatory systems…

Research suggests a genetic connection between Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Lewy body dementia. So, when my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I became an advocate for dementia awareness. I may or may not face dementia as my Parkinson’s progresses, but my dad is facing it now. Together,…

Many Parkinson’s caregivers report seeing changes to their loved ones as the disease progresses. Some people experience more irritability. Others might see apathy. Maybe it’s just that there’s been a subtle adaptation to how they experience the world. Since my dad’s diagnosis in 2013, I’ve definitely seen changes in…

In my book “Possibilities with Parkinson’s: A Fresh Look,” the insular cortex is described as the second dopamine center. Researchers surmise that the second dopamine center contributes to the nonmotor symptoms associated with the disease and its individualistic presentation. The second dopamine center is largely responsible for…

We encounter signs almost every day of our lives. Traffic lights tell us when to stop or go, and road signs tell us which exit to take. Turn signals (when used) let us know if the car in front of us is turning left or right. Dark clouds in the…

“If you have met a person with Parkinson’s, then you have seen just one patient with Parkinson’s.” I heard a medical doctor say this at a Parkinson’s disease (PD) support group meeting and presentation several years ago. After attending four different PD support groups, the truth of individualized presentation was…