"Where Life Meets Parkinson's." A blog for Parkinson's education, research advances, treatment strategies, and personal reflection. The goal is to provide support and resources to anyone either with Parkinson's disease or with any neurodegenerative disorder.
"In giving advice I advise you, be short." Horace "The journey is what brings us happiness not the destination." Dan Millman Introduction: Last month, I presented the Whitehead Lecture to the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). Here is what that means: "The annual Whitehead Lecture serves as an unofficial convocation for the School of Medicine. …
Continue reading "2016 Whitehead Lecture: Advice, Life Stories and the Journey with Parkinson’s"
“Life is not only merriment, it is desire and determination.” Kahlil Gibran "Nothing will work unless you do." Maya Angelou Dedication: I recently participated in a Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) Instructor Workshop in Greenville, SC (July 30-31, 2016); now I am certified in PWR!Moves. This post is dedicated to the workshop instructor Jennifer Bazan-Wigle; and …
Continue reading "Believe in Life in the Presence of Parkinson’s"
“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” Betty Friedane “If we own the story then we can write the ending.” Brené Brown Précis: To showcase the amazing art/photography/videography of Anders M. Leines who lives in Norway, which gives me the opportunity to voice an opinion about the emerging picture/image …
“At what point do you give up - decide enough is enough? There is only one answer really. Never.” Tabitha Suzuma "Be proud of your scars. They remind you that you have the will to live." Paulo Coelho Précis: ~50% of the people with Parkinson's develop psychotic tendencies. Treatment of their psychosis can be relatively …
Continue reading "Treatment of Parkinson’s Psychosis with Nuplazid"
"Don’t count the days; make the days count." Muhammad Ali "God will not place a burden on a man's shoulders knowing that he cannot carry it." Muhammad Ali Brief Biography: On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali passed away due to respiratory complications from his advanced Parkinson's Disease. He was born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, …
Continue reading "Muhammad Ali (1942-2016): Parkinson’s and A Courageous Life Journey"
"Accept what comes. In fact, be grateful for it. Be the one who sees opportunity in any circumstance, the one who doesn't blink when looking into fate's eyes." (from a dear friend of a classmate, Carolyn Huang) "It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be" J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the …
Continue reading "Chapter 9: A Parkinson’s Reading Companion on Journey"
“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” Henry Miller “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” Dumbledore in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Précis: The …
Continue reading "Chapter 8: A Parkinson’s Reading Companion on Mindfulness"
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone “May you live every day of your life.” Jonathan Swift Introduction: Along the way to the diagnosis of Parkinson’s, you may have to undergo several different kinds of examinations. These tests will help your physician(s) …
Continue reading "Part 1: Journey to Parkinson’s and Barium Swallow"
“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” Louis Sachar "We are human. We are not perfect. We are alive. We try things. We make mistakes. We stumble. We fall. We get hurt. We rise again. We try again. We …
Continue reading "Chapter 7: A Parkinson’s Reading Companion on Persistence"
“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher “We can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers, our willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good.” Carl …
Continue reading "Chapter 6: A Parkinson’s Reading Companion on Courage"
Journey with Parkinson's 