Columns

I heard something recently that was new to me — that we are living in “sandwich times.” In other words, this is the “sandwich generation.” It’s a time in history when many are simultaneously caring for both a child at home and a parent. Caring for a so-called normal…

Finding the right doctor who meets your needs as a person with Parkinson’s disease can be daunting. I have consulted with 11 neurologists, seven of whom were movement disorder specialists (MDS), in the five years since my initial diagnosis in 2015. Following are my top criteria in choosing what I…

Conductor brain training has made living with Parkinson’s disease easier for me. The most amazing thing I discovered while using what I call “the conductor” is that signals coming into my brain are sometimes distorted. This distortion can take place in the form of signal amplification or suppression. If…

It’s finally time to open the front windows. A slight breeze has arrived to cast the hot air far (I hope) into the east. With the opening of the windows comes the pulling back of the curtains, which means … LIGHT!  I love the daylight pouring in through the…

“Parkinson’s will not define me.” That was my mantra when I received my diagnosis five years ago. Today, I write about Parkinson’s, participate in Parkinson’s research studies, and teach classes to help others fight Parkinson’s. So, maybe it does define me. I…

‘What is something your friends and family can do to show you how much they care?’ A while back, someone asked people with Parkinson’s disease this question on a public Facebook forum. One of the first replies was bittersweet. Bitter because of the loss that was undoubtedly experienced, and sweet…

Imagine that it is a bad day, and you are also in a Parkinson’s disease “off-period.” Normally, it would be time to rest, right? But what if family arrives for dinner? It was the only time they could manage in their busy lives, and I really wanted to see them.

I have frequented a gym for the past two years, participating in Rock Steady Boxing classes. I love the fellowship and camaraderie with other people who understand the Parkinson’s journey I am on.  Detour However, I have had to step back from my class for a while and…

I am reading a book whose story is set in a fictitious town by the name of Second Chance. We all know the phrase “second chance” is more than a made-up town full of cowboys and hoodlums.  A second chance can be a moment in life when you…

They all stood and watched the dog run through my gardens, trampling the newly transplanted iris and hostas. Neighbors called for their poorly trained dog to come. It did not. It continued in its role as a canine tank. I love my gardens. I put a lot of sweat into…