Life, Lemons, and Lemonade – a Column by Lori DePorter

stem cells, sewing, fishing, wild card, pkg watch

When Lori discovered at 45 that she had young-onset Parkinson’s, she struggled with her diagnosis but decided to attack it with the same tenacity, passion, and care she brought to her career as an engineer, marriage, and motherhood (of 3 boys). Now, at 52, Lori is also a writer, a Rock Steady Boxing Coach, and a personal trainer pursuing her passion of empowering others with Parkinson’s. She hopes her column, “Life, Lemons & Lemonade,” exemplifies something she learned from dancing with her husband, Mike: ”It’s not important HOW you dance. It’s THAT you dance.”

Starting the Day in Fear and Ending It With Hope

In a four-part audio series for Newman Catholic Campus Ministry called “Nothing to Fear,” the Rev. Mike Schmitz delves into several elements of fear: vulnerability, rejection, inadequacy, and the future. The series led me to ask, “How do we view fear?” I believe many people see fear as something…

Anxiety Averted Riding the Rails With the Red Cap Service

For many of us with Parkinson’s disease, traveling can trigger anxiety, but a successful trip is still possible. While extra planning, extra time, and good shoes are a great place to start, sometimes they are not enough. The method of travel that suits our needs may require asking for help, or as we…

Focused Ultrasound in Parkinson’s: A Conversation With Arjun Desai, MD

Last November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Exablate Neuro to treat motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients, as reported by Parkinson’s News Today‘s Patricia Inacio, PhD. Created by medical device company Insightec, Exablate Neuro is a magnetic resonance, image-guided, focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) system that can treat tremors…

Sandblasted at the Dentist for a New Parkinson’s Smile

My mom says, “You only get one set of teeth. Take care of them.” This is especially important with Parkinson’s disease. Regular dental visits are a vital part of your care plan. However, it’s much easier said than done, especially when your dentist retires. After months of procrastinating, you’ll…

Don’t Store Your Medicine in the Medicine Cabinet!

Managing medications is a common responsibility for those with Parkinson’s disease and many other conditions. According to Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, more than 131 million people — 66% of U.S. adults — use prescription drugs. With Parkinson’s disease, managing medications is a balancing act required for us to…

5 Lessons I’ve Learned on My Parkinson’s Journey

If you’re a Parkinson’s veteran, what would you tell a rookie? If you’re a rookie, what Parkinson’s lessons would you like to learn? I was diagnosed in late 2014 with young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 45. At 53, I feel like both a rookie and a veteran.

Tips for Living Well With Parkinson’s Disease in 2022

After a Parkinson’s diagnosis, life can become a stream of “what ifs” and “I can’ts.” While it’s true that life changes with the disease, there are still many things we can do, including exercising, practicing mindfulness, and eating a healthy diet. Many ring in the new year by promising…