Journeying Through Parkinson’s Disease
— Sherri Woodbridge

Recently, a large group of people with Parkinson’s were asked in a private Facebook support group to give advice to others recently diagnosed with the disease. Of more than 200 responses, the overwhelming response was:  “Exercise! Keep…

This is for all those people with Parkinson’s disease who can’t seem to make others understand what’s going on in the mind of a PD patient. I’ve heard of people with PD who actually live with others…

Several years ago, when I was diagnosed with young onset PD, it seemed the rage in beneficial exercise for people with Parkinson’s disease was bicycling. A few years later, the craze seemed to turn to dance. Now…

Last week, I wrote about some of the fears people with Parkinson’s disease point to when they discuss what scares them about their future. Some recommendations focused on staying hopeful and having a positive attitude. Another…

When people with Parkinson’s disease are asked: Are you scared of your future with PD? They say they fear: Losing their driver’s licenses. Losing their independence. Having to depend on others. Facing the unknowns and what-ifs. Having…

There often are studies done relating to Parkinson’s disease. There is research being conducted, in hopes of making life a little easier for people with Parkinson’s or ultimately finding a cure. But as much as we are…

I’ve always wanted to take a dance class. Ballroom dancing, country dancing, the tango ― whatever. I’m certain you’d agree that dance is good exercise for most everyone. Not that we all like…

We all are surrounded by people who mean well, people who don’t mean to come across as ignorant, but who are, nonetheless, ignorant. Especially when they are representing health agencies. There is a European agency that…

Some people keep journals, some keep diaries, some record life’s events on their calendars. I have done all three. I kept a diary as a young girl, and then moved onto journals (although I tend to…

Many people refuse to talk about it. Fewer want to admit they struggle with it. Many are embarrassed by it. All would choose to live without it. It’s the “D” word: Depression. On my first visit to…

It wasn’t irreverent. At least, I didn’t think so. He was just a middle-aged dad who appeared to be confined to a wheelchair. He was coming down the aisle of the church at a faster than…

People from all walks of life are being encouraged to join a support group. You know, like a support group for recently divorced couples, those with an alcohol addiction, or people who have chocolate meltdowns, anger…

Mirapex (pramipexole), a common treatment for Parkinson’s disease, is believed to work by boosting the action of whatever dopamine is available, which is low in people with Parkinson’s. It is a dopamine agonist that directly stimulates…

My first few years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s were crazy — trying to get the timing of the drugs right, the dosages, the amounts, dealing with side effects. Looking back, I think one of the…

This evening I sat with my neighbor for a while. She is almost 87. I asked her how her son and daughter were doing. She is caring for her daughter who just had a hip replaced.

If you asked me what is the hardest part of having Parkinson’s disease, I might have to say the pain — today, at least. PD is so unpredictable. As it changes from day to day, moment…