Columns

Third in a series. Read part one and two. In this column, the letter C is for cognitive changes and caregiving. Cognitive changes Some possible Parkinson’s disease symptoms are obvious because they are visible: tremors, abnormal gait, a non-swinging arm. You can see them. Others can see…

There is an acrostic I have seen for “fear”: False Evidence Appearing Real I am sure the author of that acrostic meant well, and while there is some validity to it, it is not completely accurate. Ask anyone who is dealing with any kind of…

Second in a series. Read part one. The letter B is for balance and Botox. Balance Many people with Parkinson’s experience walking or balance problems, which can occur in differing degrees. Gait problems can range from the disease slowing your speed, to a lessening of your…

For several years I have done a post a day on my blog for Parkinson’s Awareness Month in an attempt to make others more aware of Parkinson’s disease. I was thinking about some of those articles not long ago and had an idea. I decided to do “The…

In third grade, I learned to write cursive. I loved — no — adored my teacher, Mrs. Nigerian. She was short, petite, dark-haired, and so very kind. She even had me over after school a few times, and I helped her make a cake for her husband one…

Today it is raining here in Oregon, the state where many believe it rains all the time. But you know what’s good about so much rain? Everything stays green. All year. Sometimes, I know, it can seem depressing (and it is for some). But not today. Today it’s…

Everywhere you turn these days there is so much negativity. It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that there are some encouraging stories out there. These are stories of people who have fought fear while battling their diseases and are winning the battle. People who have…

Every once in a while I watch an old episode of “House.” The television show is about a cynical, genius doctor (Dr. House) who mentors three other physicians. They all work closely with one another as a team to solve the most complex of cases. The last…

My body does not feel right. What am I going to do about it? What has happened to me? My quality of life was deteriorating due to my neurological issues. Along with poor fine motor skills on my left side and slowness of movement, I was constantly fatigued. This…

Parkinson’s disease. I live so near to it that sometimes writing about it feels like living through it all over again. But if people didn’t share their stories, there would be no empathy on this journey called Parkinson’s disease to help us through the struggles. The other day,…