Columns

As one of my sister Bev’s caregivers and a former nurse, I try to educate family members and friends about Parkinson’s disease (PD) to increase awareness and understanding and advocate for my sister. Bev was diagnosed in 2017. She’s now 83 and has stage 3 PD. I am…

As a 31-year-old, I spend a lot of time on my phone, whether that means talking to my friends, researching something for work, or playing a mindless game. I think about the difference I could make by spending more time improving my mind and working on my health instead of…

Recently, I spent a weekend at a cabin in northern Arizona with some of my SisterChicks friends, as we call ourselves. We were escaping the Phoenix metro area, with its soaring 100-plus-degree temperatures and desert landscape, to experience the ponderosa pine trees and cooler weather. After we’d had some wine…

Neo, Dr. C’s imaginary talking neocortex, sees the delivery truck headed down the driveway toward the house, followed by a loud knock at the door minutes later. With excitement, he says to Dr. C and Mrs. Dr. C, “I think the copies of your book have arrived!” Neo brings the…

When I was newly diagnosed, one of my physicians asked me, “What brings you peace?” I don’t remember my answer, but I do remember that he told me to find something. Recently, while sitting outside on a beautiful day, I realized that finding peace is not as complicated as I’d…

Hi, everyone! If we don’t know each other already, I’m Mary Beth. I’ve been working as a columnist and a forums moderator for Parkinson’s News Today for a fair amount of time now. But I’m still learning. I set out here to explore my dad’s journey with Parkinson’s…

How do I know that my family members are receiving the best care for their Parkinson’s disease (PD)? What criteria should I consider when choosing a disease management strategy? Given my nursing background, I asked myself these questions when my sister, Bev, was diagnosed with PD in 2017. Fortunately, Bev,…

Recently, the Parkinson’s Foundation partnered with the American College of Sports Medicine to provide new exercise recommendations for people with Parkinson’s and certified exercise professionals. The goals of this collaboration are admirable and long overdue. They seek to: Ensure standards of care for exercise professionals working with people…

Most people associate Parkinson’s disease (PD) with shaking, tremors, balance, and gait issues. However, we don’t often consider the impact of PD on vision. According to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), vision issues may cause a number of symptoms. Not every person with PD experiences these issues, but…

Last in a series. Read part one. I am so honored to have my dad, Craig Barbian, join me again today to continue our discussion from last week about my journey with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Excerpts follow. SF: What is the biggest challenge of having a child with a…