Columns

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation surgery. Not everyone will have the same response to the procedure. Consult your doctor before considering any particular therapy or treatment. First in a series. You know how people say “It’s not like it’s brain surgery” about something…

“Parkinson’s is like falling in love — without the love.” I saw this quote on social media a few months ago, and it made me chuckle. I thought it would be good to share with you this Valentine’s Day, as I’ve been thinking about falls quite a bit lately.

I became extremely frustrated with the whole treatment and research system when I was denied access to the Parkinson’s disease clinical trial I wanted to participate in. That prompted many questions: Why does research take so long? Where does all the fundraising money go? Why do I feel so…

One common but frustrating symptom of Parkinson’s disease is what’s known as “off periods.” These happen when medication, such as Sinemet (carbidopa and levodopa), wear off — sometimes suddenly — and other Parkinson’s symptoms that had been under control show up again or get worse. During off periods, you…

One of the more challenging Parkinson’s disease symptoms that my dad navigates is stiffness or rigidity, which makes the mornings hard on him. He does his morning stretches to counteract the problem, but it puts a hamper on his groove. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if the stiffness comes…

Every time I enter the password on my laptop to begin writing a column, I’m hit with a powerful wave of emotions. There’s a sense of fulfillment — a chance to reflect on my late father’s life, to honor his memory. But alongside that fulfillment, there’s an undeniable pang of…

I read an article this year on Parkinson’s News Today about a recent study on how men and women differ in their approaches to the decision to undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to treat Parkinson’s disease. Having decided to have DBS surgery in 2019, I found the…

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of having my entire family around me. But now that my three children are grown and living on their own, having everyone together is rare for my husband, Arman, and me. When the kids were growing up, we planned a yearly winter vacation to…

Earlier this month, on Jan. 17, we celebrated the 83rd anniversary of boxer Muhammad Ali’s birth. Ali remains a towering figure worldwide, even years after his death in 2016 at the age of 74. He was a fighter both by occupation and in spirit. He stood up for peace and…

Do you remember those early days when you were newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? Can you think of anything someone could’ve said to make you feel better? What do you wish they would’ve told you? I was asked this question a couple weeks ago by someone who had recently…