Journey with Parkinson’s: Adding a New Journey

"Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me." Carol Burnett "It needs to be said and heard: it's OK to be who you are." Hailee Steinfeld  Adding a New Journey: In the preceding blog post, I spent a considerable amount of time writing about the quality of life, self-management of our …

Journey with Parkinson’s: Managing Daily Life

"I decided I can’t pay a person to rewind time, so I may as well get over it." Serena Williams "Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts." Nikki Giovanni Adding On to Your Life With Parkinson's: Many people, when they get their diagnosis of Parkinson's, will make immediate …

Mindfulness Meditation for Parkinson’s

"Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves." Nhat Hanh "Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." Carl Jung Introduction: This post is one of my repeating themes. This one is on mindfulness meditation. Why would someone keep repeating a topic? Well, why do I do it? For the following reasons. First, I …

2016 Whitehead Lecture: Advice, Life Stories and the Journey with Parkinson’s

"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. …

Believe in Life in the Presence of 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 …

The 23andMe Parkinson’s Research Study

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Carl Sagan "A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." Colin Powell Introduction/Background: Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. It evolves slowly, usually starting as either stiffness in a hand or a small tremor. Over time, Parkinson’s progresses; …

The Evolving Portrait 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 …

9 Life Lessons from 2016 Commencement Speeches

“There is no script. Live your life. Soak it all in.” Dick Costolo, University of Michigan in 2013 “I encourage you to live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve.” Maya Angelou, University of California Riverside in 1977 Introduction: Each spring  semester, University systems have  graduation ceremonies along with …

Chapter 5: A Parkinson’s Reading Companion on Positivity

”Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban "You can not have a positive life and a negative mind." Joyce Meyer Introduction: In 2015, I  posted a blog entitled "Words Worth Living" (to read …