Parkinson’s support can come in many different forms
My husband, Arman, and I are fortunate to have family locally who are always there for us. Most of our family members live within a 10-minute drive from our home. We also have a…
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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I may be overprotective, but it’s progress, not perfection
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…
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The deep brain stimulation journey continues long after surgery
There are a lot of hoops to jump through leading up to deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, such as neurocognitive testing, health insurance approvals, medical team meetings, preoperative testing, and surgery scheduling, to…
Why heroes are important in life with Parkinson’s disease
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” — Christopher Reeve A hero is typically admired for their achievements and noble qualities, while…
Two chronic illnesses in one family can be perceived as a gift
A few weeks ago, I was driving to see my son, Jake, at college. I’ve written before about visiting him, but this was different from my usual college visits. It was 4:45 a.m. when…
Traveling with Parkinson’s disease is predictably unpredictable
Planning a vacation or any type of trip can be exciting; it’s fun to have the calendar full of events. Our family has been fortunate to have traveled to many parts of the world.
Botox for Parkinson’s disease symptoms? It’s not just for wrinkles.
If you thought Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) was only used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines caused by aging, think again! It’s also used to treat many types of medical conditions, including the…
Just because someone carries it well doesn’t mean their load isn’t heavy
I’m not typically a private person by nature. But for nearly 15 years, I’ve worked hard to hide my heavy load, to keep it tucked away from the world. Some days, this load weighs…
The perks — and we found some! — of living with Parkinson’s disease
My family always looks for the good in every situation. We try to find the humor and the positive in times that can be hard. It’s our way of looking on the bright…
The long journey to my husband’s deep brain stimulation surgery
When I look back on our journey with deep brain stimulation (DBS), I wish I’d documented our experience on paper rather than the bits and pieces of memory my brain struggles to recall.
It’s not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing
When dealing with a disease like Parkinson’s, eventually a caregiver will be needed. I suppose the politically correct term for this person is now “care partner,” at least in some circles. The…
To reveal or not to reveal a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease?
Opening up about a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is a personal and complicated decision. While some share the diagnosis immediately with friends, family, and colleagues, it’s common for people with Parkinson’s to…
What happens when the caregiver needs care?
So what exactly happens when a full-time caregiver gets sick? Needs to take a well-needed day off? Can’t perform the necessary tasks of caregiving? As full-time caregivers, some crazy questions run through our…
