Columns

Most of us have heard about the power of gratitude. According to research, expressing a sense of gratitude can contribute to stronger relationships and heightened levels of happiness. And those who regularly express it are more likely to be optimistic about life than those who don’t. While many of…

Educating future members of Parkinson’s care teams is a way to contribute to the Parkinson’s community. Like others with the disease, I have participated in clinical trials, research studies, and classroom visits. And over the last two years, I’ve been inspired as part of my participation in…

“Mary Beth, you should write a piece about night terrors.” My dad’s text lit up my phone one morning. “Why do you feel that way? Is that something you’re struggling with?” I responded. My dad went on to explain that he’d had a few incidents where he woke up in…

One of my favorite songs from the 1966 Broadway musical “Mame” is “We Need a Little Christmas.” The story’s main character, Mame, is an eccentric rich woman who suffers a large financial loss during the Great Depression. Even though it is not Christmas, Mame decides…

To My Neurologist: In an article published at KevinMD.com, authors of a study on the experience of Parkinson’s care partners suggest that asking a patient or care partner to write a letter — instead of relying solely on verbal conversation — illuminates new aspects of the physician-patient-family relationship.

Anyone who drives today knows that the roads and freeways can sometimes turn into a raceway! From drivers not using their turn signals to motorists cutting others off, countless challenges abound. But what if you have cognitive issues or slower reaction times? Should someone with Parkinson’s disease (PD) be driving?…

Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2014, I’ve been on a quest to discover scientifically validated tools that will enable me to live better with this disabling disease. My name for this toolbox, my Parkinson’s self-management program, is TBM. “T” is for threshold management, “B” is for…

There have been abundant changes in the virtual realm over the last two years. It’s a new world with new realities that have altered and influenced many aspects of our lives — from how we communicate with each other to how we attend doctor appointments. And…

Christmas is just around the corner, and I’ve started thinking about gift ideas for people with Parkinson’s, particularly my dad, who is pretty practical. He usually prefers tools to knickknacks or sentimental items. He tells me to get him socks and Channellocks, which I’m happy to do. But I also…

In the summer of 2019, I visited my niece, Lou, and my older sister, Bev, in Ohio. While I was there, we decided to drive to Colonial Williamsburg, an outdoor museum in Virginia, for a brief trip. Bev has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD) and was 81 at the…