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…
Read more
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
A new opportunity recently brought me to a different kind of Parkinson’s exercise class: “singercise.” “Singercise” consists of singing, toe-tapping, and general fun for an hour at a time. In a previous column titled “Music Therapy Can Be…
What is an APP? Advanced practice providers are highly educated healthcare professionals with advanced degrees and rigorous clinical training. We know them primarily as physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). As clinicians, they play a vital role in…
Do the people around you notice your Parkinson’s progression? Do you? It can look different for everyone. My progression has been slow, and the changes subtle. As a Rock Steady Boxing coach, I throw punches to manage…
What is happening to my toes and feet? While I love to dance, and while it’s been a theme in my column, “Life, Lemons, and Lemonade,” my feet and toes are taking it too far. Over the past few…
Growing up, many of us considered our heroes to be Mom, Dad, or anyone who wore a nifty cape. Now, as adults, we tend to find the heroes among us by focusing more on a person’s character. As actor…
Visit the Parkinson’s News Today forums to connect with others in the Parkinson’s community.
Get regular updates to your inbox.
