When my three kids were small, I was a bit overprotective. My in-laws used to laugh about how my husband, Arman, and I kept a legal pad in our firstborn’s nursery to track her feedings and diaper contents. (Yes, I know, it was over the top.) While the kids were…
The Bright Side — Jamie Askari
Jamie Askari is from Cleveland, Ohio, and serves as the managing director of Premier Health Advocates, LLC, a small medical advocacy organization. Her husband, Arman, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2009, at age 38. Jamie and Arman have three grown children. She has named her column “The Bright Side” (actually, her husband named it!) because of their positive attitude regarding Parkinson’s and all aspects of their lives.
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If you have ever flown on an airplane, you have likely heard the flight attendant review the safety instructions. You were probably half-listening as you settled into your tiny seat, undoubtedly sitting next to a person with a severe cough and no mask. The attendants go through all the details…
I love music; I always have. I grew up with hippie parents, and my dad always blasted rock ’n’ roll on his turntable through large, black speakers. He loved classic rock, so we kids did, too. We had little choice in the matter! When I turned 16, one of the…
As we headed to bed last night, it was storming loudly, with hail and terrible wind. Lightning flashed in the windows, and the rain came down all night long. When we awoke in the morning, the first words from my husband, Arman, were “Did the gorilla moo?” I wasn’t sure…
It was a cold, gray, rainy Saturday in Cleveland. My husband, Arman, and I would typically spend this kind of day relaxing at home, reading, renting a movie, or binge-watching a series while I fold laundry. But this day was different. I’d signed up for the Cleveland Clinic’s annual…
I was only 25 years old when I learned that I was going to be a mother. Although I still felt somewhat like a child myself, I couldn’t wait to become a mommy. I dreamed about meeting my baby every night for nine months straight. Throughout each stage of my…
My family was feeling very helpless and alone after my husband, Arman, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2009. He was only 38 years old then, and we were left floundering for a sense of hope. Soon after his diagnosis, close friends and family members approached me…
When I think about the word “learning,” it conjures up vivid memories of my school days. I can picture myself riding a bright yellow school bus and covering my textbooks with folded-up brown paper bags. I often daydreamed about how great life would be when I was finally done with…
“Yes, I’m bein’ followed by a moonshadow/ Moonshadow, moonshadow/ Leapin’ and hoppin’ on a moonshadow/ Moonshadow, moonshadow.” — Cat Stevens If I had to choose only one musician to listen to for the rest of my life, it’d likely be Yusuf Islam, better known as Cat Stevens. His melodies, which…
Do you have a long list of binge-worthy shows typed into the notes application on your phone? If you’re like me, you do. Whenever a friend mentions a show they’ve enjoyed, I add it to my list. My husband, Arman, and I watch our shows as we settle into our…
Growing up, we always had a dog in our family. My mom was particularly fond of schnauzer breeds, so I always had a gray-haired, old-man-looking dog to walk, feed, and keep me company. One dog, Charlie Brown, came into our family a few years before I was born, so we…
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of having my entire family around me. But now that my three children are grown and living on their own, having everyone together is rare for my husband, Arman, and me. When the kids were growing up, we planned a yearly winter vacation to…
Happy 2025 to all! Wishing all of you a happy and healthy year ahead. The time has come for the oft-dreaded New Year’s resolutions. The idea is to reflect on the past year and set goals for the new one. I’ve made many resolutions, but the majority of them failed…
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