Ken Aidekman

Parkinson’s is NOT funny.

The things that happen to us every day in life can be absolutely hysterical.

One of the first lessons I learned about PD was that having a good sense of humor gives you a significant advantage.

PD effects so many aspects of our lives. I would go bonkers if I took it too seriously. We’re on a whole different ride in the…[Read more]

Yes, I participate in a support group. Thirty-five years ago there were a lot fewer support groups. Awareness about PD and its symptoms was quite low. At the same time lot’s of research and new medications were available and pwp’s needed that information to share. We used to call it an “invisible” disease. Many people were not aware of the value…[Read more]

I enjoyed learning about research on the brain when I was in college. It came in handy when I learned my dad was diagnosed in 1975 and his father had PD before him. Now it’s three generations and counting.

I read what comes into my mailbox and that’s plenty. Today I turned 70 and still want to (and must) learn as much as I can. But, my poor…[Read more]

We have Mooka, our seven year old Whippet. She has black and white spots much like a cow. Mooka helps me with my Parkinson’s by taking me out for daily 2 mile walks. I don’t know who enjoys the Walk more. Mooka gets all excited at the beginning pulling on her leash and sniffing everywhere. By the second mile she tires enough to walk along side me.…[Read more]

Yes I struggle with anxiety and depression. I’ve been generally depressed all my life. I had one episode of clinical depression when I was 19. I benefited from psychiatric counseling and electroconvulsive therapy.

During my clinical depression I learned that my father had a similar episode and I was seeing the same doctor he saw some 15 years…[Read more]

I believe my Parkinson’s was a combination of genetic and environmental factors. My father and grandfather had it. So it likely has a genetic component. No one else on my father’s side had it though one of my Dad’s brothers and his sister had Alzheimer’s.

The environmental part is a big question mark. My father grew up on his father’s dairy farm…[Read more]

I have not undergone Deep Brain Stimulation but have followed developments in it for a long time.

I’m surprised the medical team that organized and performed the surgery did not tell your father that he would be able to take a lesser dose of Levodopa once his stimulator began working. Many people need less than half their dose before…[Read more]