Columns

A vanity isn’t just for the vain. If any of you are like me and watch a lot of home improvement shows, you probably have some bathroom envy. My house was built in the 1970s, and our primary bathroom is definitely a “before,” not an “after,” when it comes to…

Connecticut-based Steve Yellen was a weekend athlete before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease seven years ago. He first noticed a tremor in his left hand. Then he saw a neurologist, who confirmed the diagnosis. Instead of succumbing to apathy, Yellen decided to do everything in his power…

One of the toughest things about caregiving wasn’t always the words themselves. It was figuring out how to say them. As my uncle Brandon’s Parkinson’s disease progressed, there were certain conversations we couldn’t avoid. One of the biggest was about his mobility and the need for more support. Specifically,…

If you’re a regular reader of this column, you may have noticed I haven’t published anything new in a few weeks. You see, I was sick. I had the flu — the same terrible one that seems to be affecting people all over the country. I always say that having…

When I was in high school and college, I had a summer job as a landscaper. Like a lot of summer jobs, it felt ordinary at the time. There were hot days, grass stains, and long hours as a young guy trying to make money and do the work in…

As I’ve previously mentioned, my late uncle Brandon loved a good “chill and grill.” He didn’t just grill for fun. He could put together a full Texas-style feast that always seemed to appear out of nowhere. As a kid, I used to wonder how he managed to get ribs,…

After a long day of juggling work and caregiving, I love to relax and unwind with a cozy blanket, curling up on the couch. My husband and I enjoy watching all kinds of TV shows, and this is our time for it. We laugh out loud as we enjoy silly…

On Monday nights, I am always busy on my computer — often working on this column and sending out reminder emails to my Tuesday walking group. I started this group about three years ago, a couple years after I’d had deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. These emails…

I was his niece, but Uncle Brandon meant much more to me. He felt like a second father. Back then, my dad worked nights as he tried to build his teaching career, so we didn’t see him much. To be honest, there was also an emotional distance. He grew up…

Editor’s note: This column includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Internationally, find a suicide prevention helpline…