RJ Hayden

Exactly right John . . . think big, go BIG. I’ll stop, straighten up, throw my shoulders back and quietly say to myself “big steps” and that seems to work. My FoG had progressively worsened especially when starting, making sharp turns, or when going through doorways and narrow passageways . . . all of the text book freezing scenarios. Whispering…[Read more]

I live in a very remote area of New Mexico where just getting to a physical therapist is a challenge. I purchased an exercise book/video combination called “Delay the Disease: Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease” which has been an excellent addition to formal PT sessions.

A couple of falls which screwed up my left knee brought me to the realization that it is almost a function of ‘mind over matter’ . . . meaning that I constantly have to think about what I do, where I go and how I step.  Movement is no longer an unconscious effort which can be very frustrating.  I have found that initiating the step was the most c…[Read more]

I have used both a cane and hiking sticks . . . they may not be 100%, but they have helped me to keep my balance and prevent a fall.

I was very athletic during my college years . . . playing both baseball and ice hockey. As I got older I played in a very competitive softball league and then suddenly, I found that I couldn’t throw a ball with any kind of ‘mustard’. Eventually the distance of each throw also became shorter, less accurate and I noticed a stiffness in my throwing…[Read more]

Originally from NYC (Staten Island), we currently live in northern New Mexico.

Yes – freezing of gait is my greatest challenge. Like Robert, I have to put a conscious effort in initiating the walking process . . .  it is no longer automatic. As Caroline said, turns and narrow passage ways can absolutely be an adventure. Once I get started I’m generally ok as long as there are no sharp turns in my path. The carpet in my…[Read more]