Parkinson’s Disease Blogs

Most everyone thinks of Parkinson’s as a movement disorder. We call the most common motor symptoms of rigidity, bradykinesia (slow movement), tremor, and postural instability, the cardinal signs of Parkinson’s. Importantly, non-motor… ... read more

Every day following the ruin of stagnation, it seems that I have progressed from early Parkinson’s to a moderate stage of the disease. But I can’t be sure. Many other factors, including stress, injuries, medication changes, and aging, could be making it look and feel worse. To appease my quandary, I dove into the internet, searching for elucidation about Parkinson’s ... read more

We all have a fundamental desire to help our loved ones, and this is particularly true of those of us with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Life moves along, and we try to advance with it. We are used to taking care of our responsibilities. But when we have Parkinson’s, the rules change. I was trying to accomplish many things and not ... read more

Chronic illness is expensive. It costs money, time, and peace of mind. Whether you’re sifting through your worries or counting the pennies in your pocket, illnesses affect all avenues of life. Before the symptoms of a disease appear, one may go about daily life unencumbered by thoughts of self-preservation. But disease changes everything.  According to the U.S. Centers for ... read more

It’s a normal weekday, I’m at work and I’m struggling. Every movement I make is slow, my limbs ache and I feel like crying. But there are meetings to attend and emails… ... read more

I have been seeing a physical therapist four times a week for the last month. I hadn’t injured myself, though I experience aches and pains with Parkinson’s disease. My neurologist referred me to a physical therapist who teaches the BIG program. The LSVT BIG program is designed for people with Parkinson’s to bring their movements to a more “normal” ... read more

A documentary by Zack Grant Last March I went with Parkinson’s friends to a screening of the documentary short film “Shake with Me”, the story about artist and designer Debra Magid, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2012. We all loved the movie and gave it an enthusiastic 5 stars for its portrayal of a woman – ... read more

Plant-based diets might aid in the prevention and reversal of disease. People with Parkinson’s disease can benefit from plant-based diets. Plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan diets I became a vegetarian over 10 years ago. I chose not to eat red meat, chicken, or fish for animal welfare reasons. After my Parkinson’s diagnosis, I eliminated dairy products and became vegan. Consumption of ... read more

There are many myths about Parkinson’s disease but here are three myths I would like people to know about: Myth #1: Parkinson’s is an older person’s disease Although Parkinson’s predominantly strikes people… ... read more

I saw a musical movie with my daughter a while back. We were the only people in the theater and we had a great time. The only problem is that these types of movies awaken my repressed desire to sing and dance, much to my family’s despair.  I left the theater singing, adding a few little dance moves to the ... read more

Over the last several years, I’ve profoundly changed the way I perceive the world. Evolution is constant, but without question this new understanding of life has gradually transformed my vision of self and my connection ... read more

Being Thankful On the morning of this chilly windy Thanksgiving day, I want to express my thanks for the support and sincere gratitude that I feel for the readers around the globe that take the time to read my writings on both this site (asoftvoice.com) and (www.parkinsonsdisease.net). I am so appreciative for family and friends. […] ... read more

If you have been following Twitchy Woman for the last few years, you have seen numerous updates on “Women and PD TALK”, the project that I co-chaired for the Parkinson’s Foundation that looked at the unmet needs of women with PD. Last Friday, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), which gave a grant to the Parkinsons Foundation for the study, ... read more

Angela and Karl Robb, advocates on ParkinsonsDisease.net, discuss tips for caregivers and care partners who may be new to the role. Angela and Karl have been married for over 21 years, and… ... read more

We all fear something. Some of us fear death. Some of us fear being left alone. Others have a fear of failure. This journey we are on can be full of treks through deep, dark forests, roads full of potholes, and mountains we must climb. When I hear the word fear, I almost always think of Psalm 23. It is ... read more

Exercise improves function and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease. But sometimes you just don’t feel like going out for exercise. You’re tired, the weather is bad, or you want… ... read more

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.” George Iles  “Learn from yesterday, Live for today and Hope for tomorrow.”   Albert Einstein Introduction: The Cambridge dictionary defines hope as “the feeling that something desired can be had or will happen.” Hope is a key word in your life with Parkinson’s. A heart that feels hope keeps the ... read more

When it comes to trying to explain how we feel on a particular day, it can be difficult to articulate in a way for someone without our exact illness (in my case,… ... read more

This column is about strength and how we endure despite our challenges with Parkinson’s. As politician and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” We often feel weak and tired. Our bodies can’t move in the ways they ... read more

On weekdays, my clock radio turns on at 3:58 a.m.  Why not 4:00?  Because the NPR radio station I listen to gives the local weather for New York, where I live, at 3:59, and at 4:00 it starts an hour of news from the BBC – way across the ocean in England.  I need to know what New York’s weather ... read more

Saturday 23 November 2019Do an online search for Parkinson’s blogs and you will find hundreds. There are also several sites listing blogs. It took a while but this blog is now featured on sites like Feedspot’s top 60 Parkinson’s blogs, Parkinson.FIT and Parkinson’s Journey.Who are all these people who write the blogs? I’ve managed to meet a few of them ... read more

  There will be days you will want to quit. I know you can do this not just because I am like you but because I AM YOU. You (I) will get… ... read more

CarePartner/Caregiver Appreciation Those of us living with Parkinson’s disease and have a caregiver or care partner to assist us, may overlook or take our helpers for granted. Take the time to show your love and gratitude for all that your caregivers do for you. Show your support and make them aware of your appreciation and […] ... read more

The healing relationship holds a sacred place for people as they search for a path to well-being moments. This relationship offers every possibility for allowing those moments to occur. It is a safe place and a sanctuary that aims to facilitate and bear witness to the experience of well-being. The healing relationship starts with an agreement to enter the compassion ... read more

Recently, I set out on a pilgrimage to spend an afternoon figuring my Parkie self out. Not as emotional or spiritual as a “vision quest”, but I would still be contemplating “what… ... read more