Columns

We’ve all heard that having an attitude of gratitude can make a difference when doing this thing called life. But does gratitude make a difference for someone who is experiencing the distressing effects of Parkinson’s disease (PD), or for their caregivers? In a beautifully written Parkinson’s News Today column…

Some people go on vacations to play. For me, play is when I’m creating: writing columns, building garden landscapes, and being of service. Living with a chronic illness can be overwhelming. It helps to have a healthy sense of play, a playful mind, a lightness of being. Being a…

“Mary Beth, I’ll be starting a new Parkinson’s exercise class this week,” my dad told me early one morning. Before COVID-19 hit, Dad was religiously taking Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) classes at a local facility. But the pandemic forced that particular location to close permanently, leaving my dad…

We’ve all heard that eating a nutritious diet full of green leafy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can promote good health and even help to prevent illnesses like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. But sometimes we may crave a juicy burger with all the fixings or the sugar…

It’s the hand I have been dealt: Parkinson’s for the rest of my life. The good news is I have lucid days. With the right tools, I can remain a productive member of society and a minimal burden on family. I maintain a mental image, my “well of resources,” throughout…

Do you see or hear things that others don’t? According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 20%–40% of Parkinson’s patients say they’ve experienced hallucinations or delusions. The foundation’s website states, “Hallucinations are when someone sees, hears or feels something that is not actually there.” Unlike dreams, these episodes occur when the…

My little sister recently packed her bags and drove to Oregon, making my parents first-time empty nesters at their home in Michigan. The last of the flock has flown the coop, eager to explore everything that life has in store for her. When our family of eight gathers, there is…

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shortage of staffing at many businesses, including grocery stores. These days, it seems that self-checkout lanes have become the norm. In many places, gone are the days of multiple checkout cashiers with whom customers can have a brief but pleasant chat. I feel fortunate…

Sometimes, the call of nature is a daily dash to the bathroom. At least it used to be for me. I had a regular routine — until Parkinson’s disease came along. Now, I don’t sense “having to go” in the same way. Days will go by without a visit to…

My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), has balance problems and an unsteady gait, which have led to a number of falls. Fortunately, she hasn’t suffered any major injuries as a result. Last year, Bev had a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA, scan to measure…