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While my family and I discussed medication schedules, doctor appointments, and what foods might work best with my uncle Brandon’s Parkinson’s disease, he sometimes had a much more pressing question: “What’s for breakfast?” Usually, the question came with a smirk and his famous cackle, as if to remind us…

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 at the age of 55, after my wife noticed a tremor in my left hand. Like many people, I left my doctor’s appointment with more questions than answers. My instinct was to try to maintain a sense of normalcy by following…

The months that followed my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease were heavy and painful for both my head and my heart. My body had malfunctioned catastrophically, and my mind was suddenly expected to process the enormous emotional fallout. Every day seemed to bring another loss, another fear, another question I…

One afternoon, my late uncle Brandon came inside after spending some time outdoors, and something immediately felt different. Normally, he’d head straight for the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water before settling into his chair. That afternoon, though, he rounded the corner into the hallway and … stopped. He…

One evening, as I was lying in bed reading a novel, I watched my husband, Dave, out of the corner of my eye. Once again, he was having trouble getting out of bed. He couldn’t pull himself up far enough to swing his legs over the side so he could…

When my uncle Brandon came home one time from a Parkinson’s appointment, he was quieter than usual. The news wasn’t what we had hoped for. His symptoms had gotten worse, and, even though he rarely complained, our family could tell it had been a tough day. He sat…

I’ve never been much of a gun person. Perhaps that’s why it took me so long to understand the shotgun that recently found its way back to my family. My father told me it originally belonged to my grandfather Howard’s uncle, Edward Bernard Mooney. The serial number indicates it was…

I am certain that anyone who has ever heard the life-shattering words “You have Parkinson’s disease” remembers exactly where they were when their old life ended. I know I do. For me, it was July 28, 2013. That was the day my old life abruptly ended. Everything I thought I…

If, like me, you are a caregiver, you may have heard comments like these before: “Is there anything I can do?” “Let me know if you need anything.” “I am available if you need help!” Genuine offers of support are wonderful and always appreciated. It’s comforting to know that people…

A younger version of my dad lived for spontaneity. In his late teens and early 20s, he hitchhiked around the country in the spirit of adventure. One of his most significant early journeys took him from his home state of Michigan to Alaska, where he found work in a local…