Hello, November! With the Thanksgiving holiday nearly upon us, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’m most thankful for. As the leaves change colors and the air gets cooler, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the past year and all of the reasons I have to…
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…
My husband, Arman, has been dealing with a number of symptoms in his head, neck, and back due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease. These have included a stooped posture, a bent spine (called camptocormia), a drooped head, and a bend in his trunk (called…
When my husband was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease at age 38, I worried about the effects it would have on him and my children, but I didn’t think about the ways it would alter my own life. As a mother and wife, my priorities were…
I’m casually strolling through the grocery store, a simple pleasure we all took for granted before the COVID-19 lockdowns. How exciting it is to be able to be in a store again, instead of ordering groceries online and having them tossed on our doorstep. Although I love the convenience…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with vitamin B1, as well as other supplements and treatments. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a magic pill that combated the…
Here is a riddle for you: “How do people with Parkinson’s disease shave?” “Very carefully!” Not long after my husband Arman’s diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2009, it was clear that shaving had become a complicated process. In the years before he had deep brain…
My husband, Arman, and I spent almost 20 years of our married life in one house. Before that, we moved several times during his medical training, but the majority of our family memories were created in that house. It was the place our three children considered home. We moved into…
When I am not writing my column for Parkinson’s News Today, I work for a small healthcare company. One of my favorite parts of the job is coordinating care for clients. I assist with in-home caregiver management, care reporting, and medication and medical supply management, and I…
Stress! Life is full of it, and it’s nearly impossible to avoid. Although stress is our body’s natural reaction to dealing with a difficult situation, it doesn’t feel very natural. There are many types of stress that we encounter daily. Some stressors are considered big, such as a move, a…
I love a funny movie. Our family often rewatches our favorites over and over again. Some jokes just never get old. The more we watch, the better the punchlines become. My recipe for a perfect night includes a delicious takeout meal (Italian or Mexican fare is my personal preference) and…
I read a fantastic column on another Bionews site this week. (Bionews is the parent company of this website.) It was about how columnist Robin Stemple missed out on travels and experiences with his family because of his rare disease, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. I was amazed at…
Every single morning of my life, the sun has come up. For almost 53 years, the same sun has risen and set daily. The beautiful ball of fire in the sky tells us when to wake up and start each day. Most of the time, I don’t give it any…
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