Columns

When I was newly diagnosed, one of my physicians asked me, “What brings you peace?” I don’t remember my answer, but I do remember that he told me to find something. Recently, while sitting outside on a beautiful day, I realized that finding peace is not as complicated as I’d…

Hi, everyone! If we don’t know each other already, I’m Mary Beth. I’ve been working as a columnist and a forums moderator for Parkinson’s News Today for a fair amount of time now. But I’m still learning. I set out here to explore my dad’s journey with Parkinson’s…

How do I know that my family members are receiving the best care for their Parkinson’s disease (PD)? What criteria should I consider when choosing a disease management strategy? Given my nursing background, I asked myself these questions when my sister, Bev, was diagnosed with PD in 2017. Fortunately, Bev,…

Recently, the Parkinson’s Foundation partnered with the American College of Sports Medicine to provide new exercise recommendations for people with Parkinson’s and certified exercise professionals. The goals of this collaboration are admirable and long overdue. They seek to: Ensure standards of care for exercise professionals working with people…

Most people associate Parkinson’s disease (PD) with shaking, tremors, balance, and gait issues. However, we don’t often consider the impact of PD on vision. According to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), vision issues may cause a number of symptoms. Not every person with PD experiences these issues, but…

Last in a series. Read part one. I am so honored to have my dad, Craig Barbian, join me again today to continue our discussion from last week about my journey with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Excerpts follow. SF: What is the biggest challenge of having a child with a…

I was 12 when my father died and 17 when my mother passed away. My sister, Beverly, became my legal guardian. I’m not sure she knew what was expected of her at the time while caring for a teen who was devastated by the loss of her parents, but I…

Taking a vacation when you have Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not simple. There is always anxiety about the disease making things go wrong. Mrs. Dr. C. and I were invited to a family wedding, and the six months’ notice greatly benefited us. Not only did we have time to…

First in a two-part series. With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, I decided to get my father’s thoughts on Parkinson’s disease. I would like to introduce my best friend, biggest cheerleader, and voice of reason: my dad, Craig Barbian. Technically retired and in his 60s, he works part time…

Using a healthy diet and hydration as tools to manage Parkinson’s symptoms seems like a simple concept. Drink water and eat a balanced diet. Yes, it sounds easy … but you’ll find it’s challenging once you give it a try! However, if you start…