Life, Lemons, and Lemonade – a Column by Lori DePorter

Last week, I met with congressional staff to share my Parkinson’s story and gain support for the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act. As an advocate, I often teach, write, and facilitate support groups, but this was my first experience with public policy. According to the Michael J.

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, rare diseases affect over 300 million people globally. That seems huge, but it encompasses over 7,000 different rare disease communities. In the U.S., a rare disease is defined as one that…

Welcome to year 10 of my life with Parkinson’s disease. The cure I’d expected hasn’t been found yet, so my journey continues. While there are times of contentment and sadness, there is also joy and laughter as I find humor in the irony of growing older as someone with…

The definition of “caregiver” is different for everyone, depending on where they are in their lives. My husband, Mike, and I never defined him as a caregiver because I wasn’t struggling physically, despite my Parkinson’s disease. Struggling emotionally is a different story, and he’s been my rock and…

Now that we are in the first week of January, how’s your New Year’s resolution going so far? Many of us with young-onset Parkinson’s disease have already spent years caring for our families at the time we’re diagnosed. Then we must also do our best…

In today’s world, information is available at our fingertips. All day, every day, information bombards us. If you’ve ever used a search engine to research Parkinson’s disease, you’ve likely encountered sites with the latest statistics, which are alarming. According to the…

A new opportunity recently brought me to a different kind of Parkinson’s exercise class: “singercise.” “Singercise” consists of singing, toe-tapping, and general fun for an hour at a time. In a previous column titled “Music Therapy Can Be Just What the Doctor Ordered,” I wrote about the benefits of…

What is an APP? Advanced practice providers are highly educated healthcare professionals with advanced degrees and rigorous clinical training. We know them primarily as physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). As clinicians, they play a vital role in the ever-changing and evolving healthcare system. APPs may provide many patient…

Do the people around you notice your Parkinson’s progression? Do you? It can look different for everyone. My progression has been slow, and the changes subtle. As a Rock Steady Boxing coach, I throw punches to manage my symptoms. However, I’m not the only one punching. My…

What is happening to my toes and feet? While I love to dance, and while it’s been a theme in my column, “Life, Lemons, and Lemonade,” my feet and toes are taking it too far. Over the past few months, they’ve had a mind of their own. It’s frustrating, and…