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The Day Parkinson’s Disease Left the Room

“… [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…

Holding On to Happiness, but Not Too Tightly

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…

Choosing to Build a Snowman

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…

Is Parkinson’s Disease a Bully?

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…

The Compassionate Warrior in the Battle Against Parkinson’s

“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,…

Caregivers Need Attention, Too

Living with a chronic illness can create stress, anxiety, and more. This is not only true for those with an illness, but also their caregivers — perhaps even more so. It is often up to caregivers to care for themselves, along with their loved ones who can…

The CHRONDI Creed: A Guide for Parkinson’s Warriors

The challenges of any chronic disease require the mental attitude of a warrior. Like the code of the samurai, the CHRONDI Creed is both a guide for battle and for living. CHRONDI is an acronym from the first letters in the words chronic disease. The letters stand for each…