Shaking Things Up
— Mary Beth Skylis

When the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, many of us brace for the new year. We want to start fresh, perhaps cultivating better eating and exercise habits. But according to Discover Happy Habits, 36% of people give up on their resolutions after just one month, returning…

Several years ago, my dad decided he was ready for deep brain stimulation (DBS), a procedure that would implant electrodes into his brain to target common Parkinson’s symptoms like tremors and dyskinesia (involuntary, erratic, writhing movements). I’ve written about the massive impact that the procedure has…

Every year, the holidays sneak up on me, and I’m left scrambling for the perfect Christmas gifts. My dad, who has Parkinson’s disease, is particularly tough to shop for, so I’ve taken to looking for Parkinson’s-friendly gifts over the past few years. One year, I set up a…

When my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, I didn’t expect the disease to transform my worldview. But it did. Learning about the disease instilled a sense of fear and sadness in me. At first, I saw only the horror that Parkinson’s creates. How could a…

I once attended a neurology appointment with my dad, who has Parkinson’s disease. His doctor asked him what dosage of levodopa he’d been taking, and after he responded, she scolded him for not following her directions. I soon discovered that Dad had been taking less levodopa than he’d…

I recently discovered that there’s an entire retail market for adaptive clothing, which can help those who struggle to dress themselves in traditional clothing. Some brands make polo shirts or pants that appear standard, but upon further examination, actually have features such as Velcro and magnets. Other brands offer slip-on…

For most of my life, those around me have perceived therapy as taboo. I was taught that if you’re in therapy, something must be wrong with you. From that perspective, it’s a resource people seek only if they’ve experienced a big trauma, or perhaps behavioral problems. This…

Few things enable personal freedom as much as a car. When you live in the great automotive state of Michigan, just a short one-hour drive from the headquarters of companies like Ford and General Motors, this reality seems even starker. People use vehicles to go to the grocery store, church,…

I published my first column with Parkinson’s News Today in April 2019, confiding in readers about my dad’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Since then, I’ve written more than 60 columns, telling stories and sharing information I’ve learned. I’m rather proud to have looked Parkinson’s in the eyes so…

“It looks like I’m getting surgery next month,” I texted my dad one morning. I’ve been dealing with a mystery pain in my foot for nearly a year. Every time I run or rock climb, I end up with a burning sensation in my toe. A recent MRI revealed…

I don’t think feeling like a burden is that uncommon when we’re struggling. I’ve felt this way before. Even though I needed help, I didn’t want anyone to have to adjust their lives to help me. Asking for help makes me feel like I’m taxing to those I love. And…

The Parkinson’s diagnosis came as a shock, even for me — and I wasn’t the one receiving it. My dad received the news of his diagnosis nearly 10 years ago. Like most of my family, I remained in denial, assuming that doctors had gotten it wrong, based on my…

Family gatherings at home are often supercharged with emotion, tension, and anxiety, but I’m grateful for the time spent together. Attending these get-togethers gives us an opportunity to remember what’s most important and deepen our connections with one another. When I walked in the door of my parents’ house on…

Every year in April, Parkinson’s Awareness Month comes and goes, and I find myself wondering if anything has changed. Did the temporary boost of attention spark change in the medical community? Did fundraising efforts make a difference in our pursuit to end this disease? How might we maintain our…

My experience with Parkinson’s disease was limited until my dad was diagnosed with it in 2013. A man in our church had it, and I used to notice his unsteady hand. Eventually, he stopped going to church. I remember feeling incredibly sad about how a disease could make people retreat…

When my dad, Jim, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, he fought the idea of pursuing Parkinson’s-specific exercise classes and seeking out others in the Parkinson’s community. Nobody wants to admit they’re getting weaker or are in trouble, and I think that initially, he was afraid to categorize…