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For over 15 years now, I’ve been on the receiving end of all sorts of reactions when it comes to my husband and his early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Strangers are typically caught by surprise to hear that he was diagnosed at age 38, and they usually don’t seem to know…

Before the pandemic, I traveled for work frequently — 40-plus weeks a year attending meetings and conferences for over a decade. I’d gotten used to life on the road, but early-onset Parkinson’s disease added new layers of difficulty, especially when it came to navigating in public. When I was…

Last in a series. Read parts one and two.  Before I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, I used to love getting in front of people to talk to them, usually about food, farming, or buying locally. I found it thrilling. I felt confident and intelligent…

Being told you have a chronic illness can make you feel different from the rest of the world. And when there’s something unique about that illness or diagnosis, it can make you feel even further from “normal.” I’ve written about the challenges of finding the right medical care team…

During our shared Parkinson’s journey, my husband, Eric, and I have experienced much frustration, anger, and heartache over the challenges that the disease imposes on our lives. For my mental well-being, I meditate and practice mindful moments. I recently did a guided meditation with one of my favorite authors…

It’s a big deal to be the girl who has Parkinson’s. It’s also a big deal to be the guy whose wife has Parkinson’s. Back in September 2013, I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 36. What no one told us is that…

Second in a series. Read part one. Every Tuesday I go on a walk with my Parkinson’s buddies. I started this “walk ‘n’ talk” group after my deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in 2021. I like talking about Parkinson’s, and usually I ask the other walkers questions…

What’s the best way for people with Parkinson’s to contribute to research? I recently talked about how there are always more questions than answers and how there must be better ways to solve our problems. I highlighted the obvious need to engineer better brain-body communications. I’ve encouraged patients…

It’s been such a warm fall season here in Ohio that it’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. Not only do we celebrate Thanksgiving in November, but it’s also National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor the caregivers in our lives. Caregiver Action Network began advocating…

I have Parkinson’s disease. I was just 36 when I was diagnosed. It was a devastating blow. While I’ll never think of it as a blessing, it has been an incredible teacher, and I’m thankful for so much despite my diagnosis. I think often about the brave clinical trial…