My appointment was scheduled for 9 a.m. It was 9:32 when the nurse called my name. I arose from where I had been warming a seat cushion and followed her down the hall to the weigh station, where in keeping with tradition, I handed off my purse to my husband…
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
A healthcare petition called “Get It On Time” is circulating in the U.K. among people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). According to the petition, hospitalized PD patients are not getting the medications they need on time, if at all. Over 700 patients in the U.K. were surveyed from May to…
“You’re not a burden. You’re a human.” –Anonymous It’s easy to feel alone when living with a chronic illness. You may think no one else truly understands, that you’re nothing more than a burden to others — with all of your “oddities,” you no longer fit in. Those feelings can…
It seems to me that the word grit is on the lips of many people today. It is old-fashioned, conjuring up memories of movies starring John Wayne. Having grit means having the determination to stick to your goals despite setbacks and failures. You persevere. You set goals and you follow…
In her latest column at Parkinson’s News Today, Jean Mellano shares a frightening experience she had several years ago while cycling in Spain. “The memory of that trip plays in my mind as I fight my new battle against another formidable adversary,” she writes. “Just when I think I…
When I think of a victim, I think of someone who has had something bad happen to them. A victim could be someone who has been tricked or fooled in some way. Maybe the person has been harmed, or even killed. Or it could be someone who has been affected…
Fall is rapidly passing by, and with it goes your last opportunity to fly a kite. Even though April is National Kite Flying Month, I have always thought the blustery days of fall were the best time of year for kite flying. I love blustery days, when the wind…
I discovered this quote a while ago and found it to be inspiring: “It is impossible to be satisfied with existence once you have tasted purpose.” When you have Parkinson’s disease, it can sometimes feel as if you’re merely existing and no longer have a purpose.
Sometimes, I beat myself up when something goes wrong in my life. I convince myself that if I had only done it this way instead of that way, things may have turned out so much better. Or, if I had only said something different, I might have been more helpful.
I thought I knew what to expect. But I was hoping that the first opinion was incorrect — that they had missed something or seen something that wasn’t there. I drove on, the second opinion soon to come. Entering through the sliding…
It is raining in southern Oregon. Do you know what’s good about so much rain? Things stay green all year long. It might seem depressing, but not today. Today, it’s raining, and though I have Parkinson’s disease, it’s a beautiful day. The birds are singing. Nothing keeps them…
My couch has seen better days. One of the cushions is beginning to unravel at the seams. We all know what unraveling is: A piece of thread that has held a seam together has worked its way loose. (This cushion has had a lot of help from dozens of different…
Many would find the book title “If I Can Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Why Can’t I Brush My Teeth?” intriguing. Few people, however, would understand its meaning. Nan Little, author of…
My youngest grandson fought his daily naps. My oldest grandson, on the other hand, loved naps so much that when they rolled around, he would ask if it was “time for sleeping yet.” Needless to say, when the time came to sleep, they both woke happy and rested — most…
There is a story of a little girl who was late coming home from school one day. Her mother was beside herself with worry. When the girl finally came through the door, her mother’s concern quickly turned to frustration. “Where have you been?” she asked her daughter. “I’ve been worried…
The tallest sunflower I am aware of measures 30 feet, 1 inch. It was grown by Hans-Peter Schiffer and was first verified by Guinness World Records in August 2014. Schiffer now holds the record twice, winning again in 2015. The tallest sunflower I grew was just over 22 feet.
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