RicH

Thanks for writing this, Charles: ” I’m hoping something else gets me first like a massive heart attack or a fast, fatal stroke. I simply will not accept living a liife with no meaning or purpose, without quality, as only I can define that for myself. I’ll control my own destiny before I lose control over being able to make such a det…[Read more]

Well, on the anniversary of my 19-month diagnosis, I was talking to my wife about how nice it would be to not wake up each day and think HEY, I HAVE PARKINSONS! But that said, I’ve felt pretty good and kept my humor and outlook up overall over the past 19 months.

But then I had some mini-strokes 2+ weeks ago, thanks to a tortuous carotid artery…[Read more]

Good for him! My right hand is my stiff one, and the exercise I like is putting my hands up at head level with my fingers extended (like a “freeze” pose), making tight fists, and then throwing them open at my sides with force.

I also stretch and touch the ceiling 10 times and then hold it for 10 seconds.

Does the stiffness go away? Naw. But it…[Read more]

I have early PD and no caregiver (yet!), but it occurred to me: would a chart similar to pain charts in ERs help? They show happy faces (no pain) down to medium faces (hurts somewhat) to crying faces (extreme pain)—but could be adjusted for attitude, I’m sure. Have him point to where he’s at in a given day, maybe?

Mary Beth, the first thing I…[Read more]

Thanks, Jo S.—those were good! I’m not sure of those without PD would appreciate these jokes, but they just show that while PD is serious business, there’s room for laughter to power us through.

OMG, yes! Without humor (and music) to get through *anything* in life, much less PD, I’d have a horrible time. One of the first things I did after I got my diagnosis was to seek that clip of Michael J. Fox on Curb Your Enthusiasm, where he “accidentally” shakes up a bottle of soda before handing it to Larry David, and Larry then is pretty sure…[Read more]

Great question, Katy—because we all struggle! I’ll pass on two things that help me.

1. Sunshine and warmth. Problem is, it seems constantly cloudy and cold lately (literally and maybe figuratively?). So on the days like that, I picture what’s beyond and above the clouds: blazing sun, blue skies, and warmth. I’ve found myself on cloudy day walks…[Read more]

I for one take great comfort in seeing PD celebrities (“PD-brities”?) out there, whether it’s MJF doing Zoom calls with the cast of Back to the Future or Neil Diamond singing and playing his guitar earlier this year or Alan Alda smiling while talking about marching around his house. I’d much rather focus on this positivity and seeing folks living…[Read more]