Alan M

Hi hi Wobblygirl,

Like you, I’m tying to learn an new instrument (badly) — the Scottish small pipes.  I’ve got no one to hide behind.  It’s an instrument that sounds good alongside a fiddle, or guitar, mandolin, or button accordion.  But I live in an area of NZ where traditional musicians are scarce.

My instrument is bellows-driven — and si…[Read more]

Hey Mary Beth:

Only tele I will watch is Al Jazeera News and ABC News — and “Two-&-a-Half-Men”.

We tend to watch NetFlix and Neon more… series like:  OutLander, The Vikings, Vikings Valhalla, The Great, Shameless, GoT, Jamestown, The Matrix Trilogy, The Handmaid’s Tales, Sex Education, and the Start Trek series.

Don’t recall watching too…[Read more]

Sorry for the delay in responding, Mary Beth.  I play the Scottish smallpipes — requiring both hands to play the melody (on a chanter that resembles a recorder kids play in school), but it also requires a vigorous right elbow/arm to drive the bellows to keep the three drones alive.

I see a metaphor between playing this instrument and staying th…[Read more]

That’s brilliant John.  I never imagined these benefits playing keyboard!  Neurologically speaking, I guess using both hemispheres of our brain while playing has some definite cognitive benefits.  And then there’s the whipped cream atop — the Dp produced while listening to ourselves succeed in playing.  No downside.

I play the Scottish sma…[Read more]

Hey  Kim:  I suffer similar sleeping disruptions.  My G/P prescribed Circaden (Melatonin, 2 mg/d) but even this doesn’t let me get a good rest.  Have you tried anything else?

I’ve struggled with sleep aponea since 2008.  CPAP use has become part of my life since then.  It helps but not enough.

Mary Beth, truth is, I’m on the Autistic Spectrum (ASpie).  We’re always told by NT’s that PwA were never known to be empathic.  Maybe I (along with many other Spectrumites) are exceptions to the rule — what do you reckon?

Alan

<p style=”text-align: center;”>A life without music is an error.</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Friedrich Nietzsche</p>
Music is the only modality that allows the soul to soar.

I cannot imagine my life without music in it.  Most definitely, playing music (on the Scottish smallpipes), listening to all flavors of Celtic music, and singing…[Read more]

Hi Mary Beth:

I worked in a roo skin factory in Narangba, Australia for one year — handling stains, thinners, and treated (tanned) roo skins for overseas markets.  They make gloves, hats, purses, wallets, etc. out of this product.   Carcinogenic, possibly.  Maybe even related to my PD.

Hi Ally:

We humans are funny creatures — in  that we are storied peeps.  Our entire lives can often be viewed as a story.

I feel honoured that anyone would want to read my “story of PD”; truthfully I feel almost obliged to do this, as a therapist who has been recently diagnosed with PD.

Simply advise how we join your que and I’ll cooperate, O…[Read more]

I’m 110% convinced my poor sleep health has to do with my 16 year battle wit sleep aponea and more so lately with a sleep condition called REM-SBD directly linked to my PD.  My hand tremors also contribute to early morning disturbances that wakes me up as well.  I tried taking Circadin (melatonin) long release tabs every night but found their e…[Read more]

I bloody hope the end is nigh!  With the Climate Crisis and Putin’s War looming, COVID has become a minor irritant lately.  Anyone else feel like this?

Hi Mary Beth:  Your dad sounds  like an extraordinary bloke!  I wish I were more like him.  What I have noticed is:

• I cry at the drop of a hat.  The ABC News cast showed this wee one in the Ukraine being led by the hand amidst all the current turmoil of impending war.  Her tears absolutely crushed my heart.  I wept for her.  Years ago this wo…

[Read more]

As a matter of fact, I have this same experience, Bruce.  I purchased a treadmill last September and started in earnest.  But after a couple of months of treading, I noticed a similar response, that I termed “weak in the knees”.   Both my knees were operated on (due to my earlier career ‘bush bashing’) so I attributed this noticeable weakening to…[Read more]

Sounds amazing, Leslie!  Wish we had a Stretch Zone practice here in NP.  I’m strictly using Paracetamol to fight my thigh pain.

No truer words have been spoken, Bari!  Having a supportive partner involved in one’s progression and treatment is a Godsend.  Especially if MT/RT help isn’t that readily available.

I can really relate to many of your stressors, Garrett.  I’ve been a therapist for the past 15 years… which took me into tutoring at a local college and many sessions of Psyc Ed.  I can’t do these things as well anymore.  But I have  little choice, really.  I’m glad to see you have options — like retiring.  I’m  66 and have three teenage…[Read more]

I luv the story about Budgie.  Sounds like a kewl pet, Jean!  When he thumps his hind leg is Budgie sort of like a “mood barometer” for you?  Is he telling you he’s upset because you’re upset?  Any thoughts?

Can I pose a question to all?  For those one out of three PD peeps that developed freezing, how long after diagnosis (or self discovery) did this issue begin for you?

RJ, your vids were choice!  Thanks for these excellent watches!

It was so damn good, any better and I couldn’t stand it!  Did very little except eat (too much), sleep (more than usual), and spent the rest of the dayz with my loved ones.  Stupendous!