As a parent with young-onset Parkinson’s disease, I’ve been adjusting and adapting to the bumps and detours of my life. One of those adjustments has been our expectations for family events, from milestone events to everyday activities. With young-onset Parkinson’s, we hope our health doesn’t rob us or our family…
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,…
For Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, I would like to share how Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s have given a daughter and a father a special bond. My dad has Alzheimer’s and I have young-onset Parkinson’s. My mom, or as I call her, Wonder Woman, calls me “the dad whisperer.” But I see…
For our family and friends in the Parkinson’s community, spring and summer usually mean golf tournaments and 5K races, while fall and winter bring indoor dances and casino nights. But this year, those in the Parkinson’s community can’t come together for annual events because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We already…
A friend of mine sent me an article about a self-funded clinical trial using stem cells to treat a patient named George Lopez, who has Parkinson’s. I was intrigued. For many, myself included, the term “stem cells” meant only embryonic stem cells and evoked controversy. I had numerous questions,…
I met my friend Kathy when she came to our exercise class more than two years ago. She has Parkinson’s, too. Over the past year, we have developed a “big sister, little sister” relationship. Exercising is part of our time together, but we do so much more, including cooking, shopping,…
Sometimes you’re living life to the fullest and forgetting Parkinson’s while doing something you never expected. Recently, for me, it was fishing — something outside my comfort zone. Fishing — really? My first adventure was last summer with friends who wanted to share their love of fishing. It was a…
“Parkinson’s will not define me.” That was my mantra when I received my diagnosis five years ago. Today, I write about Parkinson’s, participate in Parkinson’s research studies, and teach classes to help others fight Parkinson’s. So, maybe it does define me. I…
Have you ever left a follow-up appointment with the neurologist that felt unfinished? If you are having a bad day, it shows. But it may not be disease progression, it may just be a bad day. It is hard to convey a true representation of “how we are doing” in…
Getting started in the morning is one of the most challenging parts of my day. The last dose of medicine is completely gone, and my body feels like an abandoned car. The structure and engine are there, but nothing is running. My body needs a jump-start. For many of us,…
I try to be productive while in the waiting room and today is no exception. However, this time I am not in a neurology waiting room. This time, it’s rheumatology. Why rheumatology? This is my story. When I was diagnosed five years ago, one doctor told me two things that…
A few weeks ago, I impulsively purchased a book of “Joy Notes” at a restaurant gift shop. The purpose of the book is to tear out the notes and share them with someone who needs them. Here is one I am sharing with all of you: “God turns…
Driving. It’s an everyday activity we take for granted, and one more piece of our independence that Parkinson’s disease may eventually take from us. Driving is a complex task that becomes increasingly difficult as Parkinson’s progresses. However, many people with young onset Parkinson’s hope to continue driving for years…
In a classroom far, far, away, in a virtual world called Zoom, there was a teacher named Lori. She and her class of Parkinson’s disease warriors were about to embark on a journey they never could have imagined. The virtual world of Zoom Like the…
I received my Parkinson’s diagnosis five years ago. I fully intended to attack it head-on, starting with exercise. Parkinson’s is not for wimps. Dancing was an important part of my plan but I needed more. The first step of my plan was to find a personal trainer. I…
The feeling of guilt calls to mind the image of a patchwork quilt. Unlike a blanket which is one piece and often uniform in both color and pattern, the quilt is a blend of patches. The patches are all different, each varying in size and color. Some are larger while…
How will we describe the “Virus of 2020” to future generations? Should we refer to it as the virus that boosted online platforms? An online platform allows people to use the internet and other networked sites like social media to exchange information. Yes, the internet and social media platforms can…
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