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Search on the internet for early signs of Parkinson’s disease. Surprisingly, you will not find foot drag on most of the lists. Yet, Ali Samil, in the chapter “Cardinal Features of Early Parkinson’s Disease,” in the book “Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis and Clinical Management,” lists foot drag as an…

My son and his family were preparing to move. Was I willing to let them go? Yes. Did I want them to go? No. But that was my selfish desire. I have realized that the harder I try to hold on to what I want, the less I allow…

Why do I feel stuck? As my Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms worsen, my desperation to find relief increases. I constantly tell myself that if my symptoms don’t progress from where they are now, I can handle my dealt cards. However, I feel my ability to stay strong will…

The brain is a plastic organ continually reshaping itself in response to the stimuli it receives and the way those stimuli are processed. The old adage “use it or lose it” applies even in the face of a challenging disease like Parkinson’s. Computer gaming can help with brain training by…

Whether you ask a group of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or your neurologist about the best thing you can do to keep PD at bay or slow down its symptoms, the most common response will likely be “exercise.” Some may say, “Stay active.” But do you…

A continuation of the “ABCs of Parkinson’s” series. Bucket lists are like New Year’s resolutions. We create lists of goals we hope to accomplish, things we want to change for the better, and places we’d like to see. We make pros and cons lists to help us…

Christmas is just around the corner. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are even sooner. For your convenience, I have made a list — and checked it twice — of perfect gift ideas for your favorite person with Parkinson’s disease (PD).  A reacher/grabber bar: Many disabilities limit mobility,…

Sometimes you can feel as if you’re at the end of your proverbial rope. You’re holding on as tight as you can, hoping the blisters on the palms of your hands won’t become totally unbearable and you let go. I was thinking about all that’s going on lately…

Brain training happens all the time. The goal of Parkinson’s disease (PD) rehabilitation is to use training to limit the effects of the condition. When training the brain, it is important to be mindful of what it is doing while implementing a practice of mental attentiveness. This specific type of…

A continuation of the “ABCs of Parkinson’s” series. When diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), or any disease, it is always beneficial to educate yourself about it. Ask yourself: Do they know what caused it? What are the symptoms? How can I best care for myself? Is there…