My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), always comments that she wishes her hair were as thick as mine. Although we were both blessed with natural curls and waves when we were younger, Bev’s hair has become much thinner and less wavy over time. As we…
Resilient: Living Relentlessly
— Jo Gambosi
Jo is from the Grand Canyon State, Arizona. She is an accomplished professional with exceptionally creative marketing and communications abilities, and is known for health care education program planning, writing and editing, and website creative concepts and content management. Jo has held key positions at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University Cancer Center, Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, as well as Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishing, and A.T. Still University of Health Sciences.
Jo describes herself as a creative problem-solver and team worker with a clinical nursing background and a passion to educate, empower and impact individuals & communities, all with a touch of humor and compassion. Jo can often be found spending time with friends, walking to explore the beauty of the Superstition Mountains, and serving in Christian ministry.
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My sister, Bev, has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), which causes her to experience balance and short-term memory issues, along with hand tremors. While visiting her in Ohio last month, I noticed Bev’s PD had progressed. She was having more difficulty with balance, memory, and chronic fatigue,…
The other day, when I was shopping for sandals, I thought about my sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease. I pondered how Parkinson’s might affect her footwear options. For example, I thought about how sandals and flip-flops may be trendy, but they typically aren’t good for people with…
I never thought much about my sister Bev’s blood pressure (BP) until I accompanied her to a dental appointment. The staff took her vital signs and told Bev, “Your blood pressure is a bit low today at 98/68 mmHg.” A normal BP for adults is usually in a range…
Feeling overwhelmed? Unsettled? Exhausted? I get it. I’m tired, too. I’m not tired of being a caregiver, but I am tired as a caregiver. I have written about how fatigue affects people with Parkinson’s disease. Today, I’m writing about the other side of it: caregiver fatigue. I would never…
Here in Arizona, dry, flaky, and itchy skin is a common problem because we get 335 days of sunshine. But my sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease, experiences the same problems with her skin during the frigid winters in Ohio, where she lives. Parkinson’s…
Spending time in the water can be refreshing, relaxing, and healing for both the body and the soul. For those with Parkinson’s disease (PD), performing exercises or movements in the water, a practice known as aquatic therapy, may be especially beneficial. Because water reduces the stress and pressure on the…
One of my favorite songs from the 1966 Broadway musical “Mame” is “We Need a Little Christmas.” The story’s main character, Mame, is an eccentric rich woman who suffers a large financial loss during the Great Depression. Even though it is not Christmas, Mame decides…
Anyone who drives today knows that the roads and freeways can sometimes turn into a raceway! From drivers not using their turn signals to motorists cutting others off, countless challenges abound. But what if you have cognitive issues or slower reaction times? Should someone with Parkinson’s disease (PD) be driving?…
In the summer of 2019, I visited my niece, Lou, and my older sister, Bev, in Ohio. While I was there, we decided to drive to Colonial Williamsburg, an outdoor museum in Virginia, for a brief trip. Bev has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD) and was 81 at the…
My sister, Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease, has developed major hearing difficulties since her diagnosis in 2017. Bev has worn hearing aids to treat age-related hearing loss for several years, but they have become less effective, particularly with the onset of Parkinson’s,…
It’s the time of year when many of us relish connecting with our families and friends and spending time together to reflect on our blessings. I’m talking about Thanksgiving, of course, although sometimes it feels like it’s being turned into “ThanksChristmas.” My sister Bev…
My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), was diagnosed in 2017. She currently faces cognitive challenges, including issues with decision-making and short-term memory. The Parkinson’s Foundation notes that cognitive impairment is common among people with Parkinson’s, and the “same brain changes that lead to motor symptoms…
Journaling can be therapeutic for all of us. For someone with a chronic illness like Parkinson’s disease, storytelling by way of writing can leave a legacy for friends and family, and it can even change a person’s perspective about facing illness. In explaining why she decided to keep a journal,…
In my recent column about oral health, I discussed how some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), such as facial stiffness and decreased tone and strength in the jaw, tongue, and facial muscles, can lead to dental problems. These issues, combined with dry mouth and decreased amounts of saliva, can…
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is known to affect oral health because of disease-related symptoms. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, physical issues such as rigidity, shaking, uncontrolled movements, and even balance problems can prevent a person with PD from keeping up good oral hygiene. Increased or decreased amounts of saliva, which…
My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), is a devout member of the Catholic faith. She clings to her beliefs and says, “Prayer and my faith have helped sustain me when dealing with my PD diagnosis and other medical issues…
My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), loves to bake. Although she has moderate cognitive issues, baking and gardening are things she can still do well. Despite her Parkinson’s, these hobbies help her to focus and concentrate. Bev says that concentrating deeply on a task helps…
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