Columns

Imagine moving to a brand-new town, thousands of miles away from anyone you know. How would you feel after a few days? Weeks? Months? The feeling of isolation that might gnaw at your heart is similar to what many of us with Parkinson’s disease experience, especially when diagnosed at a…

Assistive technology (AT) can help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) complete activities of daily living, such as cooking, eating, dressing, writing, and walking. The Assistive Technology Industry Association defines AT as “any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve…

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 64. That is close to the average age that most Parkinson’s patients are diagnosed. My goal has been to live to the age of 85, one year beyond the age of my grandfather. In my lineage, he held the record for years lived.

The first thought that popped into my head when I realized August is Medical Alert Awareness Month was, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” While that famous line from commercials in the 1980s and early ’90s became part of pop culture, it also represented a serious concern that continues…

What do you say to someone who is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD)? What words help and what words hinder? My sister Bev was diagnosed with stage 3 PD, and her caregivers, including me, have challenges in knowing what to say to her and how to say it in…

I would like to welcome back my dad, Craig Barbian. Since our discussion in a two-part series last June was so well received, I thought it would be a neat follow-up to have him share more of his perspective by writing today’s column. Take it away, Dad!…

Of 331 million Americans, a total of 600 Olympic athletes from the U.S. competed at the Tokyo Games this year. That makes an Olympian contender a rare breed with extraordinary talents, a special set of attributes, and a dedication to their skills. Of those, a few will take home…

As one of my sister Bev’s caregivers, I always try to spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease (PD) to family members and friends to increase their understanding and advocate for her and others with PD. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 78, five years later, Bev has stage 3 PD. But Parkinson’s…

“I think for me, any great art is art which communicates human emotion.” – Greg Lake Good art evokes emotion. This sculpture, by Simone Wojciechowski, titled “Tired Soul,” represents exactly how I feel: “Tired Soul” by Simone Wojciechowski. (Courtesy of Simone Wojciechowski Sculptures) Why am I tired? Lately, I…

The Parkinson’s thief has stolen something else: my enjoyment of video gaming. My writings are filled with uplifting possibilities, but the Parkinson’s thief strikes relentlessly. The loss of video gaming is gut-wrenching. Video games have been a tool for me, and I have been interviewed about the topic.