Living My Best Life - a Column by Christine Scheer

A couple of months ago, a fellow boxer from my Parkinson’s boxing program passed away. I didn’t go to his memorial, but he was a well-loved member of the community, and apparently there were many hundreds of people there to celebrate him. A friend and I were musing on…

A few weeks ago, my husband, John, and I were at a friend’s house for dinner. It was a delightful evening of dining al fresco, delicious food, and friends in a beautiful environment. There was only one problem: I couldn’t hear the conversation! Ack! I’ve known for years that I…

For me, having goals is very important. For instance, in the 5K race that I ran last weekend, my goal was to smile for the last 100 meters or so, because that is when they snap a photo of you. Does it matter that I came in 1,153rd? No, it…

I’m training for a 5K race in June. The training plan is taped onto the fridge door, and I’m following it to a T. Except for the part where it says “run” — that’s where I alternate walking and running for one minute each. This method makes a 5K totally…

On Monday nights, I am always busy on my computer — often working on this column and sending out reminder emails to my Tuesday walking group. I started this group about three years ago, a couple years after I’d had deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. These emails…

I had deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson’s disease in August 2021. I felt it was the best choice for me at that stage of the disease. My tremors were barely controlled by round-the-clock frequent doses of levodopa, and I was exhausted. Parkinson’s News Today describes…

Many years ago, I wrote a food column for our local newspaper. I called it “Cooking with the Seasons” and told people how to grow and cook with food from their gardens. One year, my husband, John, said, “We should try tapping a few maple trees and making our own…

A few years ago, my husband, John, and I purchased a teardrop trailer. It really is cute. The back opens into an outdoor kitchen; inside, there’s a double bed, a chest of drawers, some great under-the-bed storage, and a teeny-tiny bathroom. It is the perfect trailer for minimalists. We had…

Grief has a way of slipping in when you least expect it. Generally, I am a cheerful person, but lately I’ve felt a bit … sad? Apathetic? Angry? The correct answer is all of the above. Is it because I have Parkinson’s disease? Or was it triggered by the…

During the time in my life when I was busy and always rushing around, with no idea what Parkinson’s disease even was, my husband, John, and I “peaked” on pets: 12 chickens, five cats, two sheep, and two dogs. When I got home from work, I’d rush over to…