Columns

When my dad, Jim, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, he fought the idea of pursuing Parkinson’s-specific exercise classes and seeking out others in the Parkinson’s community. Nobody wants to admit they’re getting weaker or are in trouble, and I think that initially, he was afraid to categorize…

Since April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, I thought it would be a great opportunity to write about reasons to have hope for people affected with the disease, as well as their caregivers. My sister Bev has stage 3 Parkinson’s (PD) and was diagnosed in 2017. She currently experiences hand…

Relearning how to eat with Parkinson’s disease is more than being mindful of mouth movements. It requires careful observations of the motivations behind what food to eat, when, and how much. Relearning how to eat required me to examine the drive to start eating and the desire to stop…

My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), is delighted when the spring equinox arrives in Ohio, where she lives. Gone for the most part are the blustery winter storms and frigid temps. Appearing are the fragrant floral blossoms and the season of smells on the outdoor…

There are many ways to get a backache. This is new for me — lower back pain that leads to spasms and literally drives me to my knees. It doesn’t feel like the pain from overdoing it in the garden. Every gardener knows that exquisite twinge from too much lifting…

Over the years, I’ve found myself attracted to writing stories about the underdog. I love learning about people who come up against seemingly insurmountable odds, only to overcome them through sheer grit, ingenuity, and determination. In 2015, my first published article was about a woman who fell 45 feet…

My sister Bev had symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) for about eight years before she was properly diagnosed in 2017 at the age of 78. She told me that before she was diagnosed, while she was first working as a nurse and then as an echocardiography technician, she experienced uncontrollable…

I lost most of my vision two years ago and became legally blind. It was devastating. Through the course of rehabilitation with a low vision clinic, I was taught how to see in a very new way, called eccentric viewing. Eccentric viewing is a method by which a…

My mom says, “You only get one set of teeth. Take care of them.” This is especially important with Parkinson’s disease. Regular dental visits are a vital part of your care plan. However, it’s much easier said than done, especially when your dentist retires. After months of procrastinating, you’ll…

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…