Posts by: Samantha Felder

I recently had a FaceTime conversation with Brittany Dunnum, a speech therapist in Lewiston, Idaho, who works with Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and utilizes methods developed by the nonprofit Parkinson ... Read more

July 7, 2022July 7, 2022

To Drive or Not to Drive: That Is the Question if You Have Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

I often get asked if a person can drive after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The answer is yes. Some are able to drive for many years after a diagnosis. ... Read more

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022

Cycling His Way Through Life With Parkinson’s: The Story of John Alexander

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

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 ... Read more

June 10, 2022June 22, 2022

Cycling His Way Through Life With Parkinson’s: The Story of John Alexander

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022

Who’s Up First in Your Team?

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Spring is finally here, and when I think spring, I think baseball. Just like in baseball, where each team has a roster of players, Parkinson’s patients have their own teams ... Read more

April 7, 2022April 7, 2022

A Conversation With Advocate Ann Kopf About the Aware in Care Kit

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

When a person advocates for themselves, they can achieve great things. I recently had a conversation with an advocate for the Parkinson’s Foundation, Ann Kopf. Ann lives in Milwaukee and ... Read more

March 3, 2022March 3, 2022

Hallucinations Can Be a Scary Side Effect of Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Do you see or hear things that others don’t? According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 20–40% of Parkinson’s patients say they’ve experienced hallucinations or delusions. The foundation’s website states, “Hallucinations are ... Read more

February 3, 2022February 3, 2022

How to Advocate for the Parkinson’s Community

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

The word “advocacy” alone can send people running for the hills. I’ll admit, when I first decided to advocate for those of us with Parkinson’s disease, I was a little ... Read more

January 20, 2022January 20, 2022

Tapering Ropinirole Caused Me Some Scary Side Effects

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

I’m back! Not just figuratively, but also literally. I recently took some time off to get my health in check. I was in the process of changing medications, and my ... Read more

October 14, 2021October 14, 2021

‘Movin’ It’ With Hip Hop Dance Classes for People With Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

“I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, move it. I like to move it!” These dance tune lyrics, interpreted in the animated children’s movie “Madagascar,” ... Read more

September 30, 2021September 30, 2021

Navigating a Career With Early-onset Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

When a person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at a young age, many thoughts swirl through their head. Once the dust starts to settle, they’ll likely start thinking about their ... Read more

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021

Dear Parkinson’s, I’m Breaking Up With You

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Dear Parkinson’s disease (PD), Wow, I can’t believe that we’ve been together for nearly 10 years. Our relationship has been a roller-coaster ride, that’s for sure. We’ve had our ups ... Read more

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021

Advice from the Parkinson’s Community for Newly Diagnosed Patients

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Imagine moving to a brand-new town, thousands of miles away from anyone you know. How would you feel after a few days? Weeks? Months? The feeling of isolation that might ... Read more

August 13, 2021August 13, 2021

A Parkinson’s Diagnosis From My Dad’s Perspective

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

I would like to welcome back my dad, Craig Barbian. Since our discussion in a two-part series last June was so well received, I thought it would be a neat ... Read more

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021

Anxiety: A Silent Symptom of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Anxiety is the secret poison of Parkinson’s disease. While it is not a symptom many people associate with the condition, many of us still suffer from it. What is anxiety? ... Read more