Columns

Someone once uttered the maxim, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” If we apply that notion to stress we could say, “Everybody talks about stress, but nobody seems to do anything about it.” This seems particularly true when Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and their…

Along with my fellow columnists at Parkinson’s News Today, I have previously written about the benefits of music and dance for those with Parkinson’s disease or other neurological conditions. Research has shown that dancing to music may slow the progression of both motor and non-motor symptoms by affecting gait,…

My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), is a devout member of the Catholic faith. She clings to her beliefs and says, “Prayer and my faith have helped sustain me when dealing with my PD diagnosis and other medical issues…

I was surprised to discover a link between my chronic runny nose and Parkinson’s disease (PD) while I was doing research on the effect of over-the-counter antihistamines on PD medications. I have always thought that my chronic runny nose was because of allergies. I sneeze when I walk down the…

“I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, move it. I like to move it!” These dance tune lyrics, interpreted in the animated children’s movie “Madagascar,” reflect an unfortunate reality for many Parkinson’s patients. Some Parkinson’s patients appear to be constantly moving, which is known in…

My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), loves to bake. Although she has moderate cognitive issues, baking and gardening are things she can still do well. Despite her Parkinson’s, these hobbies help her to focus and concentrate. Bev says that concentrating deeply on a task helps…

I don’t think a monkey should own a wrench. Monkey wrenches seem to be thrown from nowhere and land at the most unexpected and undesired moments. I’ve had several of these monkey wrenches land in my life recently, causing setbacks related to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Now, I’m back to more…

We have become a screen society. Our days are often spent looking at screens rather than each other. I am no exception. There are digital versions of just about everything nowadays, including traditional board games. While apps can be convenient and beneficial, the feeling isn’t the same — using…

I’m always on the hunt for different ways to find relief and even joy from what seems to be constant loss. Since my father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, I have turned to reading books about the disease to see how others have managed the sadness that comes with this illness. Seeing…

Everyone needs support. Whether a person is living with a chronic disease, serving as a caregiver for someone with an illness, or just living life, everybody needs support — to be encouraged, to be lifted up, or to have someone to share their experiences with.  I…