Columns

It was a warm afternoon on the last day of March 2020. I was inundated with winged creatures hovering up and over me, fluttering to and fro, and flapping up and down in my backyard. They included everything from ladybird beetles yielding black spots on yellow shields for wings to…

“Dr. C seems better these days, don’t you think?” Neo asks Mrs. Dr. C. Neo is the inner part of Dr. C’s brain that shares his insights on Parkinson’s disease, science, and general well-being. Mrs. Dr. C agrees. “Since we moved to where winter snow doesn’t linger into April, he’s…

You’ve likely seen numerous tips for making your life more organized and easier to navigate. Well, the following are tips I have found that can make life easier if you live with Parkinson’s disease. Begin by making your home safer. Pick up anything off the floor that may be…

Yesterday was not a normal day for me. Yes, I did the regular ol’ stuff the regular ol’ way, but the end result was irregular. I woke up the same way I always did — staring at the ceiling. I sat up as usual and swung my legs over the…

Some days we might feel great. On those days, the physical part of us aligns with the mental part, and the mental part aligns with the emotional part, and everything feels great. But there are also days when things don’t align so well. We might wonder what changes from day…

When it comes to exercise and Parkinson’s disease, a plethora of programs are available to help us move better and live more fully. Everyone is different, and there isn’t a single exercise or program that meets everyone’s needs. Some people love to swim, while others don’t. Some like to walk,…

You might wake up disoriented, unsure where you are or how you got there — a common experience when sleep is disrupted by Parkinson’s. These eight steps can help you find more restful, consistent nights.

The other day, I was skimming through a Facebook forum where a woman shared that her Parkinson’s was progressing. She is approximately in her sixth year. Her disease is beginning to accelerate, and other symptoms are beginning to surface. It saddened me to read that. One day we may feel…

Was there a moment that made you realize that you have a life beyond your Parkinson’s diagnosis? Let’s call it an “aha” moment. Maybe you have more than one. I actually have had quite a few, but two have had a profound influence on how…

I love gardening. Besides writing, it is what I most enjoy. I have learned so much from digging in the dirt, whether I am planting something into freshly cultivated soil or digging up something that has recently withered away. No matter what task I do on any particular day,…