I used to develop workaround rehab models to help folks recover from traumatic brain injury. They were needed to circumvent the damaged areas of the brain and to make new neural pathways. Currently, I’m applying that same approach to my own rehabilitation with Parkinson’s disease. My model places…
Possibilities With Parkinson’s — Dr. C
Dr. C is the familiar pseudonym for readers who visit “Possibilities with Parkinson’s.” The love of writing has spanned his careers as a research theoretician, brain rehabilitation clinician, and college professor. Dr. C was first diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson’s disease in 2014. His interest in how Parkinson’s disease can manifest itself in other body and mind symptoms has become a focused area for his research and writing. His goal is to share current medical research on how Parkinson’s can be diagnosed in early stages, and to help other early-stage Parkinson’s patients manage their disease process in a holistic healing approach.
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You can’t walk around with a doctor in one pocket and a therapist in the other. In fact, you can’t even walk around with your hands in your pockets if you have Parkinson’s disease because you need them to prevent you from bumping into things and falling. Nobody…
I admit it. We are cat people. Cats are more suitable companions for our lifestyle, particularly given the constraints of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Petie is my familiar, and Squeaker is Mrs. Dr. C’s snuggle pal. Relationships with cats are special, especially for anyone with a chronic illness like…
Parkinson’s is a progressive illness. It’s continually changing the brain and body as we grow older. Along with changes from my Parkinson’s, my brain is also changing in response to its “owner’s” demands. I’ve proposed that it’s possible to use this natural neuroplasticity to slow the progression of…
Resilience is the single best predictor of success in life and in building sanctuary. When you live in a tornado-prone area, building a garden sanctuary can be risky. Spring is the time to revitalize from winter. My garden sanctuary uplifts my soul with vibrant blooms. It was built one…
“How can I tell if it’s Parkinson’s and not just me getting older?” This question was posed by an audience member during a presentation about Parkinson’s disease given at a local support group meeting. I’m not an expert on gerontology (the science of getting older). I was diagnosed at 65,…
Parkinson’s disease (PD) can wreak havoc on a person’s sense of self. It has changed many aspects of my self-concept. Who is this “new” me? What happened to that fellow I knew for so many years? Since I began writing about Parkinson’s, I have been plagued with this overriding…
There are days when I feel miserable. They run together like the constant pounding of ocean waves, shaking me with constant pain. The misery is not only in my body, but also my mind — a world of exaggerated pain signal perceptions that defines too much of my life. The…
If a casual observer were to take a snapshot of my life, they would see a gray-haired guy sitting down while his partner scurries about doing house chores and computer work. But looks can be deceiving because I am using my Parkinson’s self-management toolkit. My past work designing rehab…
“I’m nervous about this conference trip,” I said to Mrs. Dr. C. “We just moved into our new home and don’t have phones hooked up. What if something happens while I’m away?” With a smile, Mrs. Dr. C responded, “I’m a strong New England woman. I’ll be OK. You have…
Seizures. The word conjures images of a contorted, twitching body and total loss of motor control. But that’s just one type, known as tonic-clonic seizures. According to the Mayo Clinic, “A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in your behavior, movements…
“Thanks for putting into words my experience with Parkinson’s. I’m going to share your column with my doctor.” Readers of my “Possibilities with Parkinson’s” column have often made such comments. It’s a sincere compliment, and I’m very grateful that my words resonate with others. However, I can’t help but wonder…
Notable events, like my granddaughter’s school play, often are not scheduled to accommodate my Parkinson’s disease (PD). Usually, early evening events seem to occur exactly as I reach the peak of my worst “off” period. But will I miss these types of activities? No! I need to be out…
Keeping adequate reserve in our personal reservoir of energy helps us to be available for the lucid times. We need to minimize fatigue and add richness to life despite living with a chronic illness like Parkinson’s disease (PD). Managing the well of resources involves not only filling up the…
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a tough life and not to be taken lightly. With all the serious aspects of PD that manifest in our lives and the effort needed to manage them, it’s hard to find time to be light and playful. With tongue in cheek, following…
“Just sit and watch him,” said his wife, with affirming nods from their children. They were heading out to enjoy some respite from the demands of caring for a terminally ill family member. It was the same set of instructions my hospice supervisor gave me about spending time with this…
Relearning how to eat with Parkinson’s disease is more than being mindful of mouth movements. It requires careful observations of the motivations behind what food to eat, when, and how much. Relearning how to eat required me to examine the drive to start eating and the desire to stop…
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