Columns

There’s a famous thought experiment called the Ship of Theseus. You replace one plank, then another, then another — until none of the original planks remain. The question is: Is it still the same ship? In living with Parkinson’s disease and building Brain Storm — a brain-training…

Songs can be a powerful trigger for memories. I can’t hear Kermit the Frog singing “Rainbow Connection” without thinking of my family and my childhood spent playing Muppets records. I hear “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel, and instantly, the image of John Cusack holding a…

One of my dearest friends, Jen, became a caregiver to her mom while she was barely more than a child herself. Over the many years of our friendship, I’ve gradually uncovered the pieces of her journey as a caregiver. Growing up, Jen’s family included herself, her mother, her twin brother,…

Last in a series. Read part one.  In my previous column, Rachel Dolhun of the Michael J. Fox Foundation shared practical tips for managing challenges like stress and jet lag when living with Parkinson’s. This week, she offers insights on navigating specialized travel services and accommodations, and preparing for…

My cousins and I were sitting at the kitchen table, eating a meal like we’d done countless times before. The room smelled like fresh-off-the-grill Texas barbecue, and as usual, the conversation bounced easily between us. I watched my uncle Brandon pick up his fork. His hand wobbled, knocking the food…

Developing a chronic, degenerative condition like Parkinson’s disease is a raw deal. It’s also horrible when it comes at the age of 36, as it did for me. You’re entering the prime of life and career, and BLAM! Hello, early-onset Parkinson’s disease. It’s totally unfair to young spouses…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at age 45 in March 2010 marked the beginning of…

The drive home turned into a quiet ceremony, a gentle transition between worlds I didn’t yet have the language for. After spending long days with my uncle Brandon, who had Parkinson’s disease, I would get in the car, turn on something soothing and timeless like Sade, and let the…

The fear of falling is a common phobia, particularly among people over 65. Between 20%-85% of seniors have anxiety about falling, and up to half of them say the fear restricts them from their daily activities. Aging and Parkinson’s disease are risk factors for falling. And of course,…

It was 2:30 a.m., and I was peacefully asleep when I was jolted awake by an arm suddenly flinging over from the other side of the bed, landing squarely on my face. Instantly, shrieks erupted — first from me, then from my husband, Dave, and finally from both of us…