Ashen faces stare forward, their lifeless eyes fixated on the pine box before them. Some weep, while others watch with blank expressions void of emotion. Both represent the grief that hangs heavy in the room. Death does not hold the rights to grief. Some might say that grief…
Journeying Through Parkinson’s Disease
— Sherri Woodbridge
Sherri was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease over 15 years ago. She can be found working in her garden, going for walks, taking pictures, or reading books to her three favorite grandkids. Sherri is taking life somewhat slower, and perhaps with guarded steps, but she’s not giving in.
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How do I start this? What do I say? A few years after I was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease, I went to my movement disorder specialist for my routine, three-month checkup. We chatted for a while and then he brought up the subject of work. How…
Sherri Woodbridge -- Journeying Through Parkinson's Disease
I sit at my desk in the window watching as cottonwood trees release their fluffy snowballs of spring. A car passes at a snail’s pace, yet fast enough to set this phenomenon into motion like a soft, harmless tornado dancing in circles. It reminds me how Winnie the Pooh…
The other day, my husband and I were discussing the decisions we’ve made in our lives. We also talked about dreams and goals, and in my case, the dreams and goals I thought I never made. I haven’t usually been one to dream. I’m not sure why. Perhaps I’ve convinced…
The clouds hover overhead this afternoon. It echoes my emotional state of mind as of late. I wake up to sunshine and clear blue skies. By noon there is a scattered mantle of white. By dinner time the sunshine toys with me. There will be no oohing and aahing…
Crazy. That’s what yesterday was. Crazy. And that’s how Parkinson’s can make me feel. Crazy! Today was the first gorgeous spring day of the year. It was clear, blue skies as far as the eye could see. I walked into the kitchen and took a detour, pouring myself a glass…
Resiliency. It’s not a word you hear too often in relation to Parkinson’s disease. You hear words like courage and strength. But resiliency? Not often. What is resiliency? You might say it is having the ability to bounce back quickly from difficulties. Or having a toughness of character, a…
She was nine years younger than his 37 years of age. Two months into their relationship, a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis was inevitable. She had a decision to make. A choice that would affect the rest of her life. Should she continue seeing him? Invest her life in something that…
When news of the coronavirus was first surfacing, many of us wanted to stick our head in a bucket and ignore the possibilities ahead. Soon after the worrisome news that things were not going to get better any time soon, we pulled our heads out of the bucket…
Many symptoms are representative of Parkinson’s disease, the more widely known being external tremors and an unusual gait — or “walking funny,” as some might say. There is one other less visible symptom that can be connected to having the disease: loneliness. Loneliness can be a shortcut to depression.
Today’s news is yesterday’s news, and I am sick of yesterday’s news. I am more disturbed by the news now than I was five minutes ago. Let me clarify. This news — specifically about the coronavirus — didn’t affect me as much before. I have been living in a…
I have Parkinson’s disease and I live on a great big orb whose inhabitants have recently taken to biting their nails. They are also purchasing toilet paper, paper towels, water, and soap as if they are going out of style. Eggs are disappearing out of supermarket cold cases. Those suffering…
I had surgery a month ago. While it was a minor, 15-minute procedure, I was more anxious about it than I was before a previous seven-hour deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Whether it’s 15 minutes or seven hours, any surgery or medical procedure can cause worry, fear, and anxiety.
Sometimes we say “I’m sorry” and we mean it. Sometimes we say “Thank you” and we mean it. And sometimes, we don’t mean it at all. Let me explain When we are overwhelmed with living, stress takes over and we are weary and worn out. It feels as if…
I don’t remember having a teddy bear as a child. I do remember a pink monkey and a rabbit that my grandma made for me. There have been times during my journey with Parkinson’s disease that I have wanted a teddy bear — something to hold tight that would…
With Parkinson’s disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, some days you need a little nudge to keep going. Other days require a huge push. I recently watched a video that told the story of a pastor who asks his friend, a heart surgeon, if he can…
One of my favorite stories is an old Cherokee tale that goes something like this: A Cherokee grandfather is talking to his grandson about life. He tells him that there is a struggle going on inside all people — a struggle between two wolves. He explains that one…
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