I started the exercise program Rock Steady Boxing about four months ago. If you’re like me, you’ve dragged your feet and refused to go for any number of reasons or excuses. Maybe there isn’t a class near you. Or, you feel too tired to go and don’t think you’ll…
I love photography, both taking and looking at pictures. I love how it causes me to see the world with a grander view. Things become more intricate, more detailed, more colorful — so much more of everything comes into focus. However, I started to panic. My “panic…
Rehabilitation, the “R” in the CHRONDI Creed, is about the path to well-being. It is an action plan aimed at doing all that is possible to live well with a chronic disease. A well-designed rehab plan can make that journey easier. Think of a rehab plan as…
I went to the dermatologist yesterday for a skin check. Those of us who have Parkinson’s disease (PD) should make a habit of getting a yearly check because our condition increases the odds of getting skin cancer. The Mayo Clinic reported that patients with Parkinson’s “were roughly…
“… [T]he power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: You create a good future by creating a good present.” –Eckhart Tolle Rock Steady Boxing is not just about boxing, sweating, moving, and exercise. More than once, the classes have allowed me to…
“Life is beautiful.” “The best is yet to come.” Two small plaques inscribed with these words of wisdom stared back at me as I sat in a cubicle waiting for the technician to come and get me. I was booked to have a mammogram and an ultrasound.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The H in the CHRONDI Creed refers to happiness. Happiness can be an elusive thing when battling a chronic disease like Parkinson’s. So many things can get in the way of experiencing happiness: pain, deep fatigue, irritability, the…
I watched “Harry Potter” last week for the first time. Many of the characters shared wisdom with those around them. My favorite piece of wisdom in “The Chamber of Secrets” was shared by Albus Dumbledore: “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are — it is…
We have all heard of them, and many of us, in one way or another, have encountered them. Some of us (hopefully, with regret) have been one. Who am I talking about? Bullies They intimidate us and physically hurt us. They embarrass us, taunting us with…
“C” is for compassion in my CHRONDI Creed, a warrior’s guide in the battle against Parkinson’s disease. It may seem odd to label a warrior as compassionate. Normally we picture the warrior as fierce, brave, courageous, and strong. We don’t often associate compassion with such an image. However,…
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