When New Yorker Jean Mellano’s life partner, Steve, passed away in March 2015, she took solace in writing about him and found purpose in bringing more awareness to mental health by telling Steve’s story. At age 62, seven months after Steve died, Jean was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Several neurologists have told her the emotional trauma she suffered before and after Steve passed might have triggered the onset of her Parkinson’s. Jean hopes to be a voice for people afflicted with this disease. She also wants to help others understand the daily struggles of people with Parkinson’s.
“It’s good to be able to laugh at yourself and the problems you face in life. Sense of humor can save you.” –Margaret Cho Lately, I feel like my cognitive skills are starting to deteriorate. I’m certainly not the sharpest knife in the drawer anymore. This became apparent to…
In the spring of 2006, I was with a cycling group that headed out for a ride up a mountain to the town of Lluc in Majorca, Spain. It was a beautiful day — warm and sunny with blue skies. In the distance, I saw ominous clouds moving in…
Laurie K. Mischley, a naturopathic doctor, assembled approximately 60 people with Parkinson’s for a conference at Bastyr University’s Seattle campus in August. The six-day “summer school” included lectures, exercise classes, and nutrition advice designed to improve each patient’s experience with Parkinson’s and possibly slow progression. Those in attendance…
Not all people with Parkinson’s disease experience the same symptoms. For example, I am most affected by bradykinesia, poor fine motor skills, incontinence, and fatigue. I was inspired to write this column based on my personal experiences after I read Sherri Woodbridge’s column, “What to Say to Someone with…
“It doesn’t matter what cards you’re dealt. It’s what you do with those cards. Never complain. Just keep pushing forward. Find a positive in anything and just fight for it.” — Baker Mayfield (American football player) A mantra of the Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) program is to fight…
Participate or compete? Prior to being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I used to participate in 5K walks and duathlons for fun. Now, I am competing in the race of my life, which is fighting back against the debilitating effects and progression of Parkinson’s. Some days, I stagger and fall, and…
A recent Merck product status report shows that Sinemet 25-100 is on backorder, with no current availability date. I have been on Sinemet 25-100 for almost a year now. When my pharmacy called me to say there was no more Sinemet for my refill, I was devastated. Generic carbidopa/levodopa…
“The music and movement started, I was filled with great joy. I was able to take the whole class and walked out feeling accomplished, encouraged with that passion for dance rekindled. Seeing the class participants enjoy music and movement and benefit from it was so thrilling. I saw…
“People who know me know I’m strong, but I’m vulnerable.” — Catherine Deneuve Oxford Dictionaries define vulnerability as: “The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.” Recently, I felt a level of extreme vulnerability that I…
“Don’t forget you’re human. It’s OK to have a meltdown, just don’t unpack and live there. Cry it out and then refocus on where you are headed.” —Unknown I tend to have meltdowns more frequently these days. Why is this happening? My losses from this disease seem to be…
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