Parkinson’s Disease Blogs

Parkinson’s is a progressive illness. It’s continually changing the brain and body as we grow older. Along with changes from my Parkinson’s, my brain is also changing in response to its “owner’s” demands. I’ve proposed that it’s possible to use this natural neuroplasticity to slow the progression of Parkinson’s, or more accurately, to decrease the disabling effects of the disease ... read more

Many of us have likely said, “Oh, my aching feet,” especially after a long walk, run, or hike. As we age, our strength and agility decrease, increasing our chances of experiencing muscle soreness and stiffness. For people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), balance, walking, and gait issues are usually significant because of the disease’s motor effects. But people with PD may ... read more

Taking time for relaxation, clarity, or a respite for your health is much needed and well-deserved!  #MotivationMonday ... read more

Resilience is the single best predictor of success in life and in building sanctuary. When you live in a tornado-prone area, building a garden sanctuary can be risky. Spring is the time to revitalize from winter. My garden sanctuary uplifts my soul with vibrant blooms. It was built one brick at a time, one flower at a time. But in ... read more

One of the best resources that I have found for people with Parkinson’s is the Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach Program. Their “goal is to improve the quality of life for the person with PD, the caregiver, and the community.”  If you are looking for one reliable resource, this is the one you should subscribe to. You … Continue reading An invaluable ... read more

Living with Parkinson’s disease can feel like an insurmountable challenge. As we strive to maintain our mobility and preserve our way of life, we look for ways to empower ourselves as patients. We want to feel in control and restore our confidence. As the disease progresses, motor symptom difficulties become a part of daily life. However, we must remember that ... read more

“It looks like I’m getting surgery next month,” I texted my dad one morning. I’ve been dealing with a mystery pain in my foot for nearly a year. Every time I run or rock climb, I end up with a burning sensation in my toe. A recent MRI revealed that I’d torn my plantar plate. “I’m sorry to hear that,” ... read more

Determination can be a powerful ally in life, especially when dealing with a chronic illness like Parkinson’s disease (PD). My sister Bev has stage 3 PD, which causes balance and short-term memory issues, along with hand tremors. Life happens to all of us. There are emotional and sometimes physical challenges in each of our lives. However, for my sister, and ... read more

********** My Love My love has hair Like midnight, But midnight fades to dawn. My love has eyes Like starlight, But starlight fades in morn. My love has a voice Like dew-fall, But dew-fall dies at a breath. My love has love Like life’s all, But life’s all fades in death. – Bruce Nugent The post The Sun in ... read more

When my Dad told me he was going to enroll in a Parkinson’s research study, I wasn’t that surprised. You see, my Dad has always been on the Parkinson’s sidelines, cheering loudly for the success of my ongoing battle with PD. But when he told me they were flying him out to San Fransisco to have a DaT Scan, I ... read more

“How can I tell if it’s Parkinson’s and not just me getting older?” This question was posed by an audience member during a presentation about Parkinson’s disease given at a local support group meeting. I’m not an expert on gerontology (the science of getting older). I was diagnosed at 65, the average age at which most Parkinson’s patients receive their ... read more

“How can I tell if it’s Parkinson’s and not just me getting older?” This question was posed by an audience member during a presentation about Parkinson’s disease given at a local support group meeting. I’m not an expert on gerontology (the science of getting older). I was diagnosed at 65, the average age at which most Parkinson’s patients receive their ... read more

My sister, Bev, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2017 and is currently at stage 3 of the disease. Her present symptoms include gait and balance problems, short-term memory issues, chronic fatigue, and occasional difficulty swallowing. Additionally, because of both her age and PD, Bev experiences bladder problems and has been taking fesoterodine fumarate to manage them. Urinary symptoms ... read more

My sister, Bev, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2017 and is currently at stage 3 of the disease. Her present symptoms include gait and balance problems, short-term memory issues, chronic fatigue, and occasional difficulty swallowing. Additionally, because of both her age and PD, Bev experiences bladder problems and has been taking fesoterodine fumarate to manage them. Urinary symptoms ... read more

Tuesday 14 June 2022I'm surprised I didn't buy one sooner. For the last year or so I've been struggling to brush my teeth. Like most people I brush my teeth at the start of the day and the end of the day, precisely the times when my dopamine levels are at their lowest and my hands barely function. Stoically I ... read more

We all have unique gifts, abilities, and talents but if we don’t use them, no one else can appreciate them. #MotivationMonday ... read more

As Parkinson’s patients, we’re often told that we should exercise regularly. Exercise offers us many physical and mental health benefits and may help slow disease progression. A variety of exercise programs and classes have been designed specifically for Parkinson’s patients, ranging from boxing to tai chi to dancing. Talk with your doctors to determine which form of exercise would suit ... read more

As Parkinson’s patients, we’re often told that we should exercise regularly. Exercise offers us many physical and mental health benefits and may help slow disease progression. A variety of exercise programs and classes have been designed specifically for Parkinson’s patients, ranging from boxing to tai chi to dancing. Talk with your doctors to determine which form of exercise would suit ... read more

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can wreak havoc on a person’s sense of self. It has changed many aspects of my self-concept. Who is this “new” me? What happened to that fellow I knew for so many years? Since I began writing about Parkinson’s, I have been plagued with this overriding sense that I can’t get in touch with the me I ... read more

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can wreak havoc on a person’s sense of self. It has changed many aspects of my self-concept. Who is this “new” me? What happened to that fellow I knew for so many years? Since I began writing about Parkinson’s, I have been plagued with this overriding sense that I can’t get in touch with the me I ... read more

As many of you know I lost my fur baby in March.  My dog Crash had been the center of my world for over 13 years. We could communicate without even saying a word or a woof.  The pain was so deep and raw that I thought I might never recover. Coming home to a quiet house was unbearable.  I missed his energy.   ... read more

We were the lucky ones. We had avoided COVID for almost 2 1/2 years in spite of having been exposed numerous times, right from the beginning. Our first encounter was at a conference in Washington DC at the end of February, 2020. We received a notice when we arrived home that we had been exposed … Continue reading COVID19 meets ... read more

I don’t think feeling like a burden is that uncommon when we’re struggling. I’ve felt this way before. Even though I needed help, I didn’t want anyone to have to adjust their lives to help me. Asking for help makes me feel like I’m taxing to those I love. And how many times can we ask for help before our ... read more

I don’t think feeling like a burden is that uncommon when we’re struggling. I’ve felt this way before. Even though I needed help, I didn’t want anyone to have to adjust their lives to help me. Asking for help makes me feel like I’m taxing to those I love. And how many times can we ask for help before our ... read more

Have you ever decided to work on a personal project or settled down just to relax, ready to welcome the time alone? If you’re a list-maker like me, you’ve carefully gone over your to-do list and checked every item off. Then, suddenly, it happens — the interruption. Aargh! Someone texts you (or even worse, sends a group text), calls, or ... read more