Columns

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…

The fishing aisle at Bass Pro Shops was the last place I expected to leave with a memory I’ll never forget. My Uncle Brandon and I were getting ready for one of his favorite escapes: a fishing trip. Long before Parkinson’s disease entered our lives, fishing was one of…

“I’m trying to shake it and not break it.” That was Uncle Brandon’s line. If his hands shook while he carried a plate, he would grin, say those nine words in his deep, gravelly voice, and then let out a cackle that filled the whole house. If he dropped his…

When most people hear the words “Parkinson’s disease,” typically the first thing that comes to mind is tremors. Before my husband was diagnosed, I had the misconception that a person with Parkinson’s was always a cute older man with thinning gray hair and a shaky hand. For my husband,…

A few weeks ago, my husband, John, and I were at a friend’s house for dinner. It was a delightful evening of dining al fresco, delicious food, and friends in a beautiful environment. There was only one problem: I couldn’t hear the conversation! Ack! I’ve known for years that I…

When many people picture Parkinson’s disease, they envision the tremors. Their hearts sink, and they get quiet, perhaps thinking of a distant relative or friend who had the condition. Before my dad’s diagnosis in 2013, I fell into this category, picturing a man we knew from church who stooped…