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 time we’re diagnosed. Then we must also do our best…
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.
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There’s a time and a season for everything, as the familiar passage notes, but I didn’t appreciate that sentiment until now. Growing up in Pennsylvania allowed me to experience the changing seasons in all of their glory. Winter brought snow, spring brought new life with flowers, summer was for swimming,…
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, which are alarming. According to the…
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 Just What the Doctor Ordered,” I wrote about the benefits of…
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 the ever-changing and evolving healthcare system. APPs may provide many patient…
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 my symptoms. However, I’m not the only one punching. My…
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 months, they’ve had a mind of their own. It’s frustrating, and…
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 Christopher Reeve — who played Superman on screen before being paralyzed…
Parkinson’s disease changes many aspects of life, but it doesn’t control everything. Knowledge is power. If you have Parkinson’s, choose to keep learning. Educating yourself on the latest research, treatment options, and everything else about the disease is essential. However, pursuing other interests is equally important. Surround yourself…
If you get creative, anything can be a workout — even dealing with bugs. Mixing things up keeps exercise fresh and fun, and different routines work different muscles. This is especially important for those of us with Parkinson’s disease. For instance, neuroplasticity exercises retrain our brain to form…
Research studies and clinical trials are crucial for the development of new treatment options for Parkinson’s disease, as well as finding a cure. Enrolling in them is a commitment by both the investigators and the participants. If you are considering applying for a clinical trial or research…
Decluttering and downsizing are often associated with simplifying, in line with the concept “less is more.” Both may be necessary as we continue our journey with Parkinson’s disease. But there’s a third D-word missing: difficult. My oldest son said, “Downsize now because you want to do it together. Don’t…
In May 2020, Parkinson’s News Today‘s Joana Carvalho wrote about a study published in the journal eLife. The study describes a new tool that would allow scientists to study the effects of mitochondrial damage, which could ultimately help restore neuron function in people with neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Living with Parkinson’s disease can feel like an insurmountable challenge. As we strive to maintain our mobility and preserve our way of life, we look for ways to empower ourselves as patients. We want to feel in control and restore our confidence. As the disease progresses, motor symptom…
I recalled the popular adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” when a Parkinson Secrets blog post appeared on my Twitter feed. Titled “How LEGO became a tool to teach Parkinson’s: A father and daughter journey,” the post includes an interview with Dr. Jonny Acheson, who serves…
“Sometimes life seems a dark tunnel with no light at the end, but if you just keep moving forward, you will end up in a better place.” — Jeffrey Fry Would you say that living with Parkinson’s disease is like being in a really long tunnel? Sometimes the journey…
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 we view fear?” I believe many people see fear as something…
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