Possibilities with Parkinson's - a Column by Dr. C

In a column two years ago, I shared that I’m not the only case of a Parkinson’s patient showing at least a slower than normal decline. I was just two years out from my Parkinson’s diagnosis when I read in 2016 that researchers had identified a…

My battle with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is getting more difficult. I have more pain, more motor and nonmotor problems, and more difficulty processing emotions. The stages of Parkinson’s are defined by the Parkinson’s Foundation, yet everyone is different in how they progress and at what rate. I feel…

I used to develop workaround rehab models to help folks recover from traumatic brain injury. They were needed to circumvent the damaged areas of the brain and to make new neural pathways. Currently, I’m applying that same approach to my own rehabilitation with Parkinson’s disease. My model places…

I admit it. We are cat people. Cats are more suitable companions for our lifestyle, particularly given the constraints of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Petie is my familiar, and Squeaker is Mrs. Dr. C’s snuggle pal. Relationships with cats are special, especially for anyone with a chronic illness like…

Parkinson’s is a progressive illness. It’s continually changing the brain and body as we grow older. Along with changes from my Parkinson’s, my brain is also changing in response to its “owner’s” demands. I’ve proposed that it’s possible to use this natural neuroplasticity to slow the progression of…

Resilience is the single best predictor of success in life and in building sanctuary. When you live in a tornado-prone area, building a garden sanctuary can be risky. Spring is the time to revitalize from winter. My garden sanctuary uplifts my soul with vibrant blooms. It was built one…

“How can I tell if it’s Parkinson’s and not just me getting older?” This question was posed by an audience member during a presentation about Parkinson’s disease given at a local support group meeting. I’m not an expert on gerontology (the science of getting older). I was diagnosed at 65,…

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can wreak havoc on a person’s sense of self. It has changed many aspects of my self-concept. Who is this “new” me? What happened to that fellow I knew for so many years? Since I began writing about Parkinson’s, I have been plagued with this overriding…

There are days when I feel miserable. They run together like the constant pounding of ocean waves, shaking me with constant pain. The misery is not only in my body, but also my mind — a world of exaggerated pain signal perceptions that defines too much of my life. The…

If a casual observer were to take a snapshot of my life, they would see a gray-haired guy sitting down while his partner scurries about doing house chores and computer work. But looks can be deceiving because I am using my Parkinson’s self-management toolkit. My past work designing rehab…