Sometimes I think about the odd medical practices that were used hundreds of years ago to treat illnesses and how those strategies compare with today’s practices. In the 19th century, milk transfusions were…
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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…
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…
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…
Over the years, I’ve found myself attracted to writing stories about the underdog. I love learning about people who come up against seemingly insurmountable odds, only to overcome them through sheer grit, ingenuity, and…
“Mary Beth, I’ll be starting a new Parkinson’s exercise class this week,” my dad told me early one morning. Before COVID-19 hit, Dad was religiously taking Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) classes at…
My little sister recently packed her bags and drove to Oregon, making my parents first-time empty nesters at their home in Michigan. The last of the flock has flown the coop, eager to explore…
“How’s your 2022 so far?” I text my dad a few days into January. “Not so good,” his message lights up my phone. “I think I have COVID.” At first, I think he’s joking.
My dad and I sat quietly in the living room one early evening. The daily hustle and bustle had died down, and we were enjoying the peace of simply existing in each other’s…
It’s a crisp January morning when my best friend and I ask each other about our superpowers. He tells me he’s as fast as lightning, which is funny because he’s a semi-pro ultra…
Most of us have heard about the power of gratitude. According to research, expressing a sense of gratitude can contribute to stronger relationships and heightened levels of happiness. And those who regularly express…
“Mary Beth, you should write a piece about night terrors.” My dad’s text lit up my phone one morning. “Why do you feel that way? Is that something you’re struggling with?” I responded. My…
Christmas is just around the corner, and I’ve started thinking about gift ideas for people with Parkinson’s, particularly my dad, who is pretty practical. He usually prefers tools to knickknacks or sentimental items. He…
As a moderator for the Parkinson’s News Today Forums, I recently posed a question that’s received several surprising responses. I asked our forum members about their greatest challenge as a caregiver for…
I’m always on the hunt for different ways to find relief and even joy from what seems to be constant loss. Since my father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, I have turned to reading books about…
Many Parkinson’s caregivers report seeing changes to their loved ones as the disease progresses. Some people experience more irritability. Others might see apathy. Maybe it’s just that there’s been a subtle adaptation to…
When I was a kid, my dad was always in motion. If he wasn’t hard at work in the office, he was mowing our 10-acre lawn or cleaning the chicken coop. It was only…
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