Parkinson's Disease

A Decade With Parkinson’s Disease: What’s With All The Artists?

On all of my "Decade with Parkinson's Disease" posts I have selected a feature image of original artwork. There is a reason for that. It's because art is such an important player in the lives of many with Parkinson's Disease. Betcha didn't know that, did ya? Neither did I. And it sounds sort of crazy.… Continue reading A Decade With Parkinson’s Disease: What’s With All The Artists?

Parkinson's Disease

A Decade with Parkinson’s Disease: On Becoming a “Lab Rat”

Signing up for a clinical study is not an irreversible decision. Trial participants always have the right to change their mind. After agreeing to participate in the Parkinson's Progressive Marker Initiative (PPMI) at the Cleveland Clinic I went home and spent more than a few days questioning my decision. I found many reasons why I… Continue reading A Decade with Parkinson’s Disease: On Becoming a “Lab Rat”

Parkinson's Disease

A Decade with Parkinson’s Disease: Decisions

After my first, disturbing visit to a doctor in 2009, I spent the following months reading. The internet can be a scary place. Horror stories, myths, and outright deceptions are everywhere and cover all topics. Fortunately, I knew the importance of choosing only well-known, reliable sources. The more I learned, and the more time that… Continue reading A Decade with Parkinson’s Disease: Decisions

Parkinson's Disease

A Decade with Parkinson’s Disease: The Diagnosis

Updated April 3, 2019 I was 48 years old when I first noticed that something was amiss. It started in my little finger. I was sitting quietly and noticed a slight tremor. It was the oddest thing I’d ever felt. It didn’t prevent me from doing anything that I wanted to do though, so I… Continue reading A Decade with Parkinson’s Disease: The Diagnosis

Parkinson's Disease

A Decade with Parkinson’s Disease: In the Beginning…

Knowing me to be a lifelong writer, when I was first diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2009, friends encouraged me to start a "Parkinson's blog." But writing about PD was the last thing I wanted to do. Everyone experiences the happenings of life differently.  When diagnosed with PD, I didn’t feel like it was the… Continue reading A Decade with Parkinson’s Disease: In the Beginning…

Parkinson's Disease

Living with Parkinson’s Disease Part 4: the “Short” PPMI Visit

  My PPMI "short" visits are held at the Cleveland Clinic's Mellen Center for Neurological Restoration (also known as the "U" building), a building I would come to know well over the next five years. After checking in at the first floor reception area I ride the elevator to the third floor where I sit in the… Continue reading Living with Parkinson’s Disease Part 4: the “Short” PPMI Visit