“I fight for my health every day in ways that most people don’t understand. I’m not lazy. I’m a warrior!” –Unknown Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disease of loss. It chips away one’s ability to perform seemingly mindless tasks. Examples of what I have lost to Parkinson’s…
Slow Is the New Fast
— Jean Mellano
When New Yorker Jean Mellano’s life partner, Steve, passed away in March 2015, she took solace in writing about him and found purpose in bringing more awareness to mental health by telling Steve’s story. At age 62, seven months after Steve died, Jean was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Several neurologists have told her the emotional trauma she suffered before and after Steve passed might have triggered the onset of her Parkinson’s. Jean hopes to be a voice for people afflicted with this disease. She also wants to help others understand the daily struggles of people with Parkinson’s.
Featured Post
“I think for me, any great art is art which communicates human emotion.” – Greg Lake Good art evokes emotion. This sculpture, by Simone Wojciechowski, titled “Tired Soul,” represents exactly how I feel: “Tired Soul” by Simone Wojciechowski. (Courtesy of Simone Wojciechowski Sculptures) Why am I tired? Lately, I…
“You will never know what someone is dealing with behind closed doors. No matter how happy someone looks, how loud their laugh is, how big their smile is, there can still be a level of hurt that is indescribable. So be kind. Even when others are not, choose…
“… [T]he power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: You create a good future by creating a good present.” –Eckhart Tolle Rock Steady Boxing is not just about boxing, sweating, moving, and exercise. More than once, the classes have allowed me to…
The Parkinson’s News Today Forums were created to allow those of us with this disease to lean on and learn from each other, and most importantly, laugh together. The forums also aim to help caregivers, family members, and friends to understand the daily challenges of those living…
“You don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a ‘negative person.’ It makes you human.” –Lori Deschene As many people with Parkinson’s will attest, both Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms and finding…
Twice a week for over a year, I have been religiously taking Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) classes for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Has RSB helped my PD? I believe that my PD symptoms would be worse or my disease would have progressed more quickly had I not taken these…
When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2015, I asked the neurologist if there was a definitive test to confirm a PD diagnosis. I mentioned a DaTscan, but he said the test is not entirely conclusive. He also indicated that DaTscan results likely would not…
Why do I feel stuck? As my Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms worsen, my desperation to find relief increases. I constantly tell myself that if my symptoms don’t progress from where they are now, I can handle my dealt cards. However, I feel my ability to stay strong will…
Why is there no cure for PD? In my mind, there are several potential reasons there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The brain is an extremely complex organ and there is no known definitive cause for the disease. Each PD diagnosis is unique, patients suffer…
Editor’s note: This column discusses suicide. Pivotal events in my life have piqued my interest in Lewy bodies. The first event was on March 15, 2015, when my life partner, Steve, killed himself. The second was my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in November 2015. My fascination with Lewy bodies…
What is my strategy? I plan to take Parkinson’s disease (PD) medications as prescribed to get me to a point where I can function well and really push hard in my exercise. Then, I hope that a combination of exercise, diet, meditation, yoga, and massage will help me…
Today began with a pity party and I had to take out the hats. Like most people with Parkinson’s (PwP), our days — even our hours and minutes — are a roller coaster ride of highs and lows. My day started extremely low, and my pity party began…
Third in a series. Read parts one and two. Complacency setting in “Complacency is a continuous struggle that we all have to fight.” –Jack Nicklaus It has been about a year since I started Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) classes. It has been a great journey filled with many…
In part two of a series, columnist Jean Mellano’s Rock Steady Boxing journey continues. Read part one. Camaraderie The camaraderie fostered by Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) is off the charts, and our coach is so encouraging and compassionate. We are all part of a team united in…
In September 2017, I started to take Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) classes. RSB has truly made a remarkable impact on improving the quality of my life. What’s it all about? The RSB classes I attend twice a week average about 10 to 16 people per class. The…
No two Parkinson’s disease patients are alike I am slowly coming to realize that each diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is unique. PD patients suffer different symptoms and different rates of disease progression. Some remedies work for some, and not for others. In many cases, those of us with PD…
Explore More Columns
Discussion
Discussion
Discussion