Journeying Through Parkinson’s Disease
— Sherri Woodbridge

I was playing a nice, calm game of Hearts with my kids and grandkids when I started laughing. Again. My outburst was not out of the ordinary, unless somewhat irrepressible mirth counts as abnormal. I’ve experienced several bouts of uncontrollable laughter in the last few months. I have noticed that…

Every year, I compile a list of holiday gift ideas for people with Parkinson’s disease. This year, I’ve taken my favorites from previous lists and added some new ideas. I’m offering them here for those who need assistance with finding the right gift for their loved one. A few…

We’ve all been alone. We’ve all felt alone. And we all know there is a difference between the two. Being alone is having no one around to laugh with, to cry with, or to be with us when we need them. Feeling alone can happen in a coliseum, surrounded by…

I have been seeing a physical therapist four times a week for the last month. I hadn’t injured myself, though I experience aches and pains with Parkinson’s disease. My neurologist referred me to a physical therapist who teaches the BIG program. The LSVT BIG program…

I saw a musical movie with my daughter a while back. We were the only people in the theater and we had a great time. The only problem is that these types of movies awaken my repressed desire to sing and dance, much to my family’s despair.  I left…

We all fear something. Some of us fear death. Some of us fear being left alone. Others have a fear of failure. This journey we are on can be full of treks through deep, dark forests, roads full of potholes, and mountains we must climb. When I hear the word…

This column is about strength and how we endure despite our challenges with Parkinson’s. As politician and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” We often feel…

How can we experience real joy when we struggle to be thankful? Dealing with difficult circumstances, particularly when living with a chronic illness such as Parkinson’s disease, can lead us to have a grim outlook on life. We can become embittered when things don’t go as we’d expected or wanted.

We often try to hide from the world when we feel inadequate, abnormal, or different. It’s a natural defense that can be destructive when it leads to feelings of shame. Shame is an emotion we would rather avoid. It can come upon us unexpectedly. We tend to associate it with…

You may have encountered the term “rainmaker” used in the nonliteral sense. Lindsay McPhail, editorial director of The Wild Woman Magazine, describes a rainmaker as “someone who brings hope to dry and barren places. Someone brave enough to get face to face with her own darkness and vulnerable enough…

When you are new to something, it’s common to feel disconnected or out of place — especially when it comes to understanding the language. At church, newcomers may hear words that don’t make any sense. “Churchy” people (including me) tend to throw around big words. It also occurs with abbreviations.

Sometimes I wonder what my life with Parkinson’s disease will be like in the coming years. I also think about the challenges that my caregiver will face. It’s hard to avoid thinking about the future when you live with a chronic disease. Sitting outside on my porch this summer, I…

“You don’t look like you have Parkinson’s disease.” It’s a common refrain heard by those in our community. Everyone’s perception of this disease is different. And everyone wears Parkinson’s differently. Recently, a graphic circulated among the Parkinson’s disease (PD) community showing the visible and invisible symptoms associated with the disease.

Sometimes we must learn tough lessons. And that can be a good thing. Many of the life lessons I’ve learned have been through my journey with Parkinson’s disease. On a recent afternoon, I went with my daughter in-law to a pumpkin festival at a nearby farm. She brought my…

“I looked ahead and could not see a future I wanted to live.”  These were the words of Chris Norton, co-author of “The Seven Longest Yards,” as he lay in his hospital bed and the truth of his condition sank deep into his soul.  Quadriplegic. The…

My 4-year old grandson is on a puzzle kick. In one day, he put together seven puzzles ranging from 40 to 300 pieces. He wanted to do most of them by himself. At least he started out that way. After he put a few pieces together, he informed me that…