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“How can I tell if it’s Parkinson’s and not just me getting older?” This question was posed by an audience member during a presentation about Parkinson’s disease given at a local support group meeting. I’m not an expert on gerontology (the science of getting older). I was diagnosed at 65,…

My sister, Bev, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2017 and is currently at stage 3 of the disease. Her present symptoms include gait and balance problems, short-term memory issues, chronic fatigue, and occasional difficulty swallowing. Additionally, because of both her age and PD, Bev experiences bladder…

As Parkinson’s patients, we’re often told that we should exercise regularly. Exercise offers us many physical and mental health benefits and may help slow disease progression. A variety of exercise programs and classes have been designed specifically for Parkinson’s patients, ranging from boxing to tai chi to dancing. Talk…

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can wreak havoc on a person’s sense of self. It has changed many aspects of my self-concept. Who is this “new” me? What happened to that fellow I knew for so many years? Since I began writing about Parkinson’s, I have been plagued with this overriding…

I don’t think feeling like a burden is that uncommon when we’re struggling. I’ve felt this way before. Even though I needed help, I didn’t want anyone to have to adjust their lives to help me. Asking for help makes me feel like I’m taxing to those I love. And…

Have you ever decided to work on a personal project or settled down just to relax, ready to welcome the time alone? If you’re a list-maker like me, you’ve carefully gone over your to-do list and checked every item off. Then, suddenly, it happens — the interruption. Aargh! Someone texts…

There are days when I feel miserable. They run together like the constant pounding of ocean waves, shaking me with constant pain. The misery is not only in my body, but also my mind — a world of exaggerated pain signal perceptions that defines too much of my life. The…

I recalled the popular adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” when a Parkinson Secrets blog post appeared on my Twitter feed. Titled “How LEGO became a tool to teach Parkinson’s: A father and daughter journey,” the post includes an interview with Dr. Jonny Acheson, who serves…

The Parkinson’s diagnosis came as a shock, even for me — and I wasn’t the one receiving it. My dad received the news of his diagnosis nearly 10 years ago. Like most of my family, I remained in denial, assuming that doctors had gotten it wrong, based on my…

As I write this, I am feeling impatient, frustrated, anxious, and a bit concerned. The source of my anxiety and concern relates to my sister Bev and her Parkinson’s disease (PD). Bev was diagnosed in 2017 and currently has stage 3 Parkinson’s. I’m concerned because she thinks her disease…