When I’m abroad, I picture my dad traveling with Parkinson’s disease
Every time I step foot in a new country, I dive into the local culture to try to intimately understand the region. I compare and contrast it with the U.S., where I’m from, in…
Shaking Things Up
— Mary Beth Skylis
Mary Beth Skylis (she/her) lives in Colorado, where she works as a full-time freelance writer. As a columnist for Backpacker Magazine and Women’s Health, she spends most of her time learning about the latest developments in the outdoor and health industries. When her dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, she began conducting research and looking for ways to share her journey. Joining Bionews was the result. Now she works as a forum moderator and continues to share monthly musings about life with Parkinson’s disease.
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I find myself wishing Dad would fight harder against Parkinson’s
My time with my dad is limited by geographical distance: He lives in Michigan while I live in Colorado. When I go home to see him, the Parkinson’s decline seems more obvious to…
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The importance of self-care in the management of Parkinson’s disease
Self-care sometimes gets a reputation for being a woo-woo practice — something that’s unconventional and has little scientific data to back it up. But the body of scientific evidence showing that self-care…
Existing home modifications for Parkinson’s disease prove beneficial
When my parents moved into their current house about 10 years ago, one thing they quickly learned about the property was that the previous owner had Parkinson’s disease. From what they understood,…
Exploring the links between Parkinson’s and weight loss
My dad, who has Parkinson’s disease, has experienced some weight loss recently. I have theories about that. I think it’s partly because of his Parkinson’s tremors, which not only increase his energy…
Parkinson’s fatigue is a regular challenge for many, including Dad
The sun peeked through the window at 8 a.m. on a weekday morning, and I found myself wanting to shut the world out. The day before, I’d hiked 12 miles through the Rocky Mountains…
A first fall shatters all illusions about my dad’s Parkinson’s disease
I was texting with my dad a few weeks ago when he told me something that stopped me in my tracks: He had his first fall. I often live in a state of denial…
How Apple’s new safety feature could detect Parkinson’s falls
I’m on the phone with a technology expert from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department — the biggest sheriff’s department in the world — when the idea strikes me: Dad…
Is Parkinson’s the reason my dad is more socially isolated?
“Hi, Mom,” I say after hitting the green button on my phone. “How are you?” “Hi, honey. I’m doing well,” she responds. It’s an early Sunday afternoon and she sounds chipper. We don’t connect…
4 ways to reduce holiday stress with Parkinson’s disease
Years ago, my dad realized that acute stress made his Parkinson’s symptoms worse. He was more inclined to freeze or experience exacerbated tremors, especially if he was full of anxiety. This…
Christmas gift ideas for people with Parkinson’s
Snow is falling from the sky in tufts here in the Colorado mountains as I write this. Christmas is on my brain. It’s the time of year when my sister and I book flights…
How I approach thinking about the late stages of Parkinson’s disease
After my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, one of the most frightening parts for me was learning about the later stages of the disease. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, and…
Parkinson’s tremors have made handwriting impossible for my dad
“Let’s play a game,” my sister, Anne Marie, suggested one balmy summer evening. Our entire family had congregated in Northern Michigan for a weeklong vacation, and we were looking to create some…
How I learned to better understand my dad’s Parkinson’s progression
I have an autoimmune disease. I’ve known about it for about as long as my dad has known about his Parkinson’s disease. And sometimes it’s striking to see how the treatment strategies…
2 Parkinson’s disease books I’m currently reading
When I was a kid, the world was divided into the haves and the have-nots. The haves never wanted for anything, while the have-nots had to find a way to navigate their lives without…
Does everyone with Parkinson’s disease struggle with drooling?
Drooling is embarrassing. I’ve caught myself spacing out with a trickle of saliva slipping out of my lips before. I can’t help but peer around the room to see if anyone noticed. I know…
On my dad’s 70th birthday, I reflect on his tenacity and fortitude
“Wow, look at that walk,” my older sister says with a smile. Dad is making his way across the living room in preparation for his birthday party. His steps are fluid and…
