Fourth in a series. Read part one, two, and three. In this column, the letter D is for dystonia, drooling, and dandelions. Dystonia Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that causes sustained muscle contractions (ouch!). Twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures (more ouch) can…

Third in a series. Read part one and two. In this column, the letter C is for cognitive changes and caregiving. Cognitive changes Some possible Parkinson’s disease symptoms are obvious because they are visible: tremors, abnormal gait, a non-swinging arm. You can see them. Others can see…

Second in a series. Read part one. The letter B is for balance and Botox. Balance Many people with Parkinson’s experience walking or balance problems, which can occur in differing degrees. Gait problems can range from the disease slowing your speed, to a lessening of your…

For several years I have done a post a day on my blog for Parkinson’s Awareness Month in an attempt to make others more aware of Parkinson’s disease. I was thinking about some of those articles not long ago and had an idea. I decided to do “The…

The focus of this year’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month, starting today, is on research and a better understanding of the neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 10 million people globally. World Parkinson’s Day on April 11 is at the center of the observance. Parkinson’s disease can cause a broad array…

My mom says, “You only get one set of teeth. Take care of them.” This is especially important with Parkinson’s disease. Regular dental visits are a vital part of your care plan. However, it’s much easier said than done, especially when your dentist retires. After months of procrastinating, you’ll…

Yesterday was not a normal day for me. Yes, I did the regular ol’ stuff the regular ol’ way, but the end result was irregular. I woke up the same way I always did — staring at the ceiling. I sat up as usual and swung my legs over the…

Some days we might feel great. On those days, the physical part of us aligns with the mental part, and the mental part aligns with the emotional part, and everything feels great. But there are also days when things don’t align so well. We might wonder what changes from day…

‘What is something your friends and family can do to show you how much they care?’ A while back, someone asked people with Parkinson’s disease this question on a public Facebook forum. One of the first replies was bittersweet. Bitter because of the loss that was undoubtedly experienced, and sweet…

I am reading a book whose story is set in a fictitious town by the name of Second Chance. We all know the phrase “second chance” is more than a made-up town full of cowboys and hoodlums.  A second chance can be a moment in life when you…