Mental health is as important as physical health in your care plan
Why do we often neglect our mental health? Although the term contains the word “health,” we don’t always care for the health of our minds as well as we do that of our…
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.
Featured Post
Living with fear is part of being a Parkinson’s caregiver
“Fear does not stop death. It stops life.” — Vi Keeland My husband, Arman, and I enjoy babysitting our great-nephew, who is 1 year old. We used to babysit his dad, so it’s an…
Read more
Vision problems are the latest Parkinson’s issue to require surgery
My husband, Arman, has undergone several surgeries since he was diagnosed at age 38 with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. When I learned that he needed cataract surgery, I hoped that the procedure…
Looking for the good in the world and ignoring the stares and whispers
It was a beautiful summer night in northeastern Ohio; the sun was setting, and a warm evening breeze drifted in from Lake Erie. We had spent the last few hours watching our son, Jake,…
Walking helps us fight Parkinson’s symptoms, enjoy nature
The weather isn’t typically on your side when you live in a place like Cleveland. But for me, having lived here most of my life, I love the climate and the change of seasons.
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 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…
