Parkinson’s News Today Columns

August 4, 2022August 4, 2022

Living With Intent: A Speech Therapist Explains the Parkinson Voice Project Strategy

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

August 3, 2022August 3, 2022

Speaking to a Therapist Regularly Can Offer Many Benefits

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

For most of my life, those around me have perceived therapy as taboo. I was taught that if you’re in therapy, something must be wrong with you. From that perspective, ... Read more

August 3, 2022August 3, 2022

What I Learned While Visiting My Sister, Who Has Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

My sister, Bev, has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), which causes her to experience balance and short-term memory issues, along with hand tremors. While visiting her in Ohio last month, ... Read more

July 29, 2022July 29, 2022

Special Considerations for Meditation and Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

In a column two years ago, I shared that I’m not the only case of a Parkinson’s patient showing at least a slower than normal decline. I was just two ... Read more

July 22, 2022July 22, 2022

Meditation Practice Helps Me to Self-manage Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

My battle with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is getting more difficult. I have more pain, more motor and nonmotor problems, and more difficulty processing emotions. The stages of Parkinson’s are defined ... Read more

July 21, 2022July 21, 2022

A Difficult Dilemma: Decluttering and Downsizing With Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Decluttering and downsizing are often associated with simplifying, in line with the concept “less is more.” Both may be necessary as we continue our journey with Parkinson’s disease. But there’s ... Read more

July 20, 2022July 20, 2022

Assessing Dad’s Driving Ability as His Parkinson’s Progresses

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Few things enable personal freedom as much as a car. When you live in the great automotive state of Michigan, just a short one-hour drive from the headquarters of companies ... Read more

July 15, 2022July 15, 2022

3 Shifts and a Walk: Designing a Workaround for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

I used to develop workaround rehab models to help folks recover from traumatic brain injury. They were needed to circumvent the damaged areas of the brain and to make new ... Read more

July 8, 2022July 8, 2022

How to Manage Parkinson’s Disease: Lessons From My Cat

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

I admit it. We are cat people. Cats are more suitable companions for our lifestyle, particularly given the constraints of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Petie is my familiar, and Squeaker is ... 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

July 7, 2022July 7, 2022

Zebrafish Research Offers an Exciting Window Into Parkinson’s Disease

COVID-19 Columns, Parkinson’s News Today Columns

In May 2020, Parkinson’s News Today‘s Joana Carvalho wrote about a study published in the journal eLife. The study describes a new tool that would allow scientists to study the ... Read more

July 6, 2022July 6, 2022

Reflecting on Several Years of Writing About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

I published my first column with Parkinson’s News Today in April 2019, confiding in readers about my dad’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Since then, I’ve written more than 60 columns, ... Read more

July 1, 2022July 1, 2022

Finding the Workarounds to Help Manage Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

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 ... Read more

June 29, 2022June 29, 2022

Foot Problems Are Challenging for My Sister, Who Has Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

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 ... Read more

June 24, 2022June 24, 2022

The Resilience of Spring, My Garden, and Life With Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

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 ... Read more