Protecting the babies inspires me to move like a ninja
Do you ever have moments when you forget you have Parkinson’s disease? Sometimes, in those first few sleepy moments when I wake up, I feel good. Then, of course, I start to…
Living My Best Life — Christine Scheer
Christine Scheer was diagnosed in 2015, at the age of 54, with Parkinson’s disease. She is a retired chef who lives on a farm with her husband, John, in London, Ontario, Canada. She firmly believes in the power of exercise to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s. Her hope for her column, “Living My Best Life,” is that she can get conversations started and raise awareness by engaging those in the PD community and beyond.
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It’s almost summer, but thanks to Parkinson’s, I am freezing
“Squash the bug, Barry!” my friend Dave yelled across the boxing gym. Our other friend Barry had been on his way to get a drink of water and had frozen. When Dave shouted, Barry…
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A little family fun in the sun is just what I needed
My husband, John, and I recently embarked on a memorable trip to the Dominican Republic. We’ve been there before, but this year was special: We’d be babysitting our 6-month-old granddaughter for part of the…
My daily routines are getting a much-needed spring cleanup
I love a good routine. Every morning, I have a cup of tea and a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and I’ve been doing that for at least 10 years. It’s super satisfying, and…
My deep brain stimulator works overtime to keep symptoms at bay
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. When I was…
A new exercise class helps keep my Parkinson’s symptoms in check
This winter has been hard here in Ontario, Canada. It’s been cold, dark, and snowy. Plus, my Parkinson’s symptoms worsened, with freezing and dyskinesia happening more frequently, my balance being at an all-time low,…
There is nothing to love about falls in Parkinson’s disease
“Parkinson’s is like falling in love — without the love.” I saw this quote on social media a few months ago, and it made me chuckle. I thought it would be good to…
Newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? You’re not alone
Do you remember those early days when you were newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? Can you think of anything someone could’ve said to make you feel better? What do you wish they would’ve…
With Parkinson’s, Botox isn’t a walk in the park, but it helps me walk
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with Botox. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. The best way I can describe…
I’ve vowed to not let Parkinson’s prevent me from enjoying life
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never got around to doing it? For me, that thing was pottery. I believed it was something I could master, and that it’d fill a…
Navigating the effects of Parkinson’s disease on speech, part 3
Last in a series. Read parts one and two. Before I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, I used to love getting in front of people to talk to them,…
Navigating the effects of Parkinson’s disease on speech, part 2
Second in a series. Read part one. Every Tuesday I go on a walk with my Parkinson’s buddies. I started this “walk ‘n’ talk” group after my deep brain stimulation (DBS)…
