A reminder of the importance of getting a mammogram
As I sit here at 4:30 a.m. typing up this week’s column, how many of you are also up late reading Parkinson’s News Today or visiting the forums? As sleep eludes us, we chat online across different…
Life, Lemons, and Lemonade
— Lori DePorter
Lori DePorter lives is Pennsylvania with her husband, Mike. She has three grown sons and a granddaughter. Diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease at 45, Lori became an advocate for Parkinson’s and others with disabilities through health and wellness, writing, public policy, and community outreach. She is a certified personal trainer, a Rock Steady Boxing coach, a PMD Alliance Global Ambassador, and a support group educator. “Life, Lemons, & Lemonade” shares her story and Lori hopes it will empower others to see that life with Parkinson’s is different, but it can still be good.
Featured Post
Why it’s crucial to be prepared for trips to the ER
One thing I’ve been pondering lately is how vulnerable we can be when we have a medical crisis and have to go to a hospital emergency room. Imagine the following scenario: You’re a patient with young-onset Parkinson’s disease…
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Finding hope and tips for freezing at the 6th World Parkinson Congress
Hope can be found in unexpected places. When you’re lucky enough to find it, grab it, hold onto it, and allow it to fill your life. One of the highlights of attending the 6th World Parkinson Congress, held…
The World Parkinson Congress: exciting, eye-opening, exhausting
Planning for travel is essential, and my recent trip to Spain for the 6th World Parkinson Congress (WPC) posed a question: While the host city, Barcelona, had planned for me and others with Parkinson’s through the…
Recognizing the love in a father-daughter ‘Batman and Robin’ story
“I would trade places with you,” my friend said. “You have Parkinson’s disease, but you also have people who love you. That matters.” I was speechless, but it’s true. We may take love for granted, but others notice…
A skin biopsy brings another Parkinson’s ‘wait and see’ scenario
Parkinson’s disease involves a series of wait-and-see scenarios. Which part is worse: the waiting or the seeing? If you’d asked me that question before my Parkinson’s diagnosis, the clear answer would’ve been seeing. For me, ignorance was…
Permanent makeup pros and cons for those with Parkinson’s disease
Little things can sometimes make a big impact when life happens and fate changes our plans. Everything is constantly changing — including my looks. During a recent conversation about permanent makeup, I announced, “I miss eyeliner and…
Reaching the milestone of becoming a grandparent with Parkinson’s
Becoming a grandparent while I have young-onset Parkinson’s disease is a milestone, and life with Parkinson’s is all about celebrating one day, one goal, and one milestone at a time. Diagnosed at 45, I prayed to God…
How one woman’s dancing inspired the Parkinson’s community
When Barbara Salsberg Mathews moved, the world moved with her. Barbara is an artist, mother, and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patient and advocate on a journey she calls “A Shaky Start.” She uses dance and her experience as…
Life is about what we can do now, not what we can’t
Ten years is a long time to fill a self-care toolbox, but mine will never be complete, and the same tool will never be at the top. I have favorites, however, and one is my regular therapy session.
I’m learning how to advocate for Parkinson’s legislation
Last week, I met with congressional staff to share my Parkinson’s story and gain support for the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act. As an advocate, I often teach, write, and facilitate support groups, but this was…
How I’m Celebrating Rare Disease Day This Year
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, rare diseases affect over 300 million people globally. That seems huge, but it encompasses over 7,000 different rare disease communities. In…
Finding humor in growing older with young-onset Parkinson’s
Welcome to year 10 of my life with Parkinson’s disease. The cure I’d expected hasn’t been found yet, so my journey continues. While there are times of contentment and sadness, there is also joy and laughter as I…
Recent Research Confirms the Need for Parkinson’s Caregiver Support
The definition of “caregiver” is different for everyone, depending on where they are in their lives. My husband, Mike, and I never defined him as a caregiver because I wasn’t struggling physically, despite my Parkinson’s disease. Struggling emotionally…
Let’s Make 2023 the Year of ‘Me’
Now that we are in the first week of January, how’s your New Year’s resolution going so far? Many of us with young-onset Parkinson’s disease have already spent years caring for our families at the…
Exploring Parkinson’s Resources for Inspiration and Information
In today’s world, information is available at our fingertips. All day, every day, information bombards us. If you’ve ever used a search engine to research Parkinson’s disease, you’ve likely encountered sites with the latest statistics,…
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