Life, Lemons, and Lemonade
— Lori DePorter

In a four-part audio series for Newman Catholic Campus Ministry called “Nothing to Fear,” the Rev. Mike Schmitz delves into several elements of fear: vulnerability, rejection, inadequacy, and the future. The series led me to ask, “How do…

For many of us with Parkinson’s disease, traveling can trigger anxiety, but a successful trip is still possible. While extra planning, extra time, and good shoes are a great place to start, sometimes they are not enough. The method of travel that…

Last November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Exablate Neuro to treat motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients, as reported by Parkinson’s News Today‘s Patricia Inacio, PhD. Created by medical device company Insightec, Exablate Neuro is a…

My mom says, “You only get one set of teeth. Take care of them.” This is especially important with Parkinson’s disease. Regular dental visits are a vital part of your care plan. However, it’s much easier said than…

Managing medications is a common responsibility for those with Parkinson’s disease and many other conditions. According to Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, more than 131 million people — 66% of U.S. adults — use prescription drugs. With Parkinson’s…

If you’re a Parkinson’s veteran, what would you tell a rookie? If you’re a rookie, what Parkinson’s lessons would you like to learn? I was diagnosed in late 2014 with young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 45.

After a Parkinson’s diagnosis, life can become a stream of “what ifs” and “I can’ts.” While it’s true that life changes with the disease, there are still many things we can do, including exercising, practicing mindfulness, and eating…

Educating future members of Parkinson’s care teams is a way to contribute to the Parkinson’s community. Like others with the disease, I have participated in clinical trials, research studies, and classroom visits. And over the last…

There have been abundant changes in the virtual realm over the last two years. It’s a new world with new realities that have altered and influenced many aspects of our lives — from how we…

According to a 2013 article in The New York Times, the average American knows about 600 people. Since the debut of “Life, Lemons, and Lemonade” over two years ago, I have met many doctors, community educators, foundation directors,…

Can those of us with Parkinson’s disease blame the condition for all of our trials and tribulations? The quick answer often is “Yes. Absolutely.” However, it’s not always so black and white. While it’s true that Parkinson’s complicates things,…

Along with my fellow columnists at Parkinson’s News Today, I have previously written about the benefits of music and dance for those with Parkinson’s disease or other neurological conditions. Research has shown that dancing to music may slow…

We have become a screen society. Our days are often spent looking at screens rather than each other. I am no exception. There are digital versions of just about everything nowadays, including traditional board games. While apps can…

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, it can become harder for someone to find physical activities they can do with others, which can affect their social life. However, a few years ago, my husband, Mike, and I discovered something we could…

Research suggests a genetic connection between Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Lewy body dementia. So, when my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I became an advocate for dementia awareness. I may or may not face dementia as…