Columns

Several years ago, I attended a women’s conference. The speaker was very pretty. Her Dorothy Hamill haircut — most popular for the times — was styled just so, and her makeup was applied perfectly. Her earrings didn’t sit lopsided on her lobes, her clothes were neatly ironed, and all the…

One of my biggest problems with the current science about Parkinson’s disease is the way that progression is described. Early stages of the disease are poorly understood and explained. The transition from early to middle stage also lacks a firm definition, particularly if one looks at the disease as…

One of my favorite sights is a dad and his child walking together and holding hands. I also absolutely love hearing the childhood laughter that comes from Dad rolling on the floor and roughhousing with his kids, otherwise known as playing “rough and tough” in my grandson’s house. When you…

This New Year’s Eve was, well, different. Our tuxedo, gown, and sparkly shoes were replaced by shorts, T-shirts, comfy pajamas, and slippers. My husband, Mike, and I didn’t have a plan, but ultimately, we spent New Year’s Eve creating our own date night. We cooked dinner, made a fire, played…

When we’re born into this world, it takes us about seven months to sit up for the first time. It takes about a year to learn how to walk. The learning process is long and difficult, and riddled with unsuccessful attempts and blunders along the way. The act of walking…

There was no reason for me to be sitting on the exam table in the doctor’s office wearing a flattering cotton gown. Well, let me back up. There was a reason. I was trying to find a new neurologist. I had already given up on finding a movement disorder specialist…

Those of us who live with Parkinson’s disease are probably aware that it is a progressive disease of the nervous system. Because it affects the nervous system, it also potentially could affect every part of the body. But just because the potential exists doesn’t mean it will do so.

“Mrs. Dr. C, I’d like to know how you are doing,” says Neo, Dr. C’s inner voice that facilitates conversations. “Recent events have been stressful, yet you and the good doctor seem to stay calm. There is almost no effect on your relationship. Most couples would have had at least…

It’s not easy to start a new year when the last one was so difficult.  I saw a picture of someone holding a sign exclaiming, “We made it!” in honor of the new year. Another sign, however, depicted a cartoonish group of people peeking around the corner, all holding…

While many holiday traditions were on hold at the end of last year, one tradition remained in our house: the annual Santa Letter. It started over 20 years ago, when our boys were young. Every year, they would find a letter carefully hidden in the Christmas tree, and then…