At age forty-eight, my life changed dramatically when I received my diagnosis of early onset Parkinson's disease. How could this be possible? I'm not an old man! This diagnosis has placed me at the starting line of a difficult journey. Looking back at the first five years of my Parkinson's life, I can see a bit more clearly now how this all came together. I have learned about the disease, but I have also, more importantly, learned from the disease. This book is my story of how my diagnosis was reached and how I started on my Parkinson's journey. I have learned many lessons along the way, and I have passed along my most important discoveries in this book. It is my hope that those who read it will get a better perspective of the daily life of a Parkinson's patient as well as see that successes can be reached along the way. Enjoy the journey!

"Counseling Persons with Parkinson's Disease offers a distinctive, practical, philosophically grounded, and person-centered approach to counseling those living with Parkinson's disease and other chronic illnesses. As a seasoned teacher of professional counselors who also lives with Parkinson's, the author demonstrates that chronic illness requires accepting and living with profound loss, but that this loss may lead to personal transformation and constructive ends, wherein one finds new hope, meaning, purpose, happiness, and passion for living. Equal parts memoir and professional resource, this book guides clinicians who give counsel, educators who teach counseling, and anyone wanting to know more about Parkinson's disease and providing support for those who live with it. Parkinson's disease; bereavement; grief, mourning; illness; counseling; task-centered; happiness"--

How does one deal with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at the age of forty-three? My Degeneration, by former Anchorage Daily News staff cartoonist Peter Dunlap-Shohl, answers the question with humor and passion, recounting the author’s attempt to come to grips with the “malicious whimsy” of this chronic, progressive, and disabling disease. This graphic novel tracks Dunlap-Shohl’s journey through depression, the worsening symptoms of the disease, the juggling of medications and their side effects, the impact on relations with family and community, and the raft of mental and physical changes wrought by the malady. My Degeneration examines the current state of Parkinson’s care, including doctor/patient relations and the repercussions of a disease that, among other things, impairs movement, can rob patients of their ability to speak or write, degrades sufferers’ ability to deal with complexity, and interferes with the sense of balance. Readers learn what it’s like to undergo a dramatic, demanding, and audacious bit of high-tech brain surgery that can mysteriously restore much of a patient’s control over symptoms. But My Degeneration is more than a Parkinson’s memoir. Dunlap-Shohl gives the person newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease the information necessary to cope with it on a day-to-day basis. He chronicles the changes that life with the disease can bring to the way one sees the world and the way one is seen by the wider community. Dunlap-Shohl imparts a realistic basis for hope—hope not only to carry on, but to enjoy a decent quality of life.

A compilation of insights, practical tools and inspirational suggestions for improving mind-body connection and empowering healing.

Addresses all of the new and emerging Parkinson's disease therapies (stem cells, gene therapy, optogenetics, etc.).

The poems in this book were written after the author was diagnosed young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of forty-eight. Some of the poems include reflections on and accounts of his experiences of sadness, darkness, and struggle, especially during the first year following his diagnosis. More of the poems capture experiences of deep questioning, discovery, acceptance, joy, and hope. This range of reflections and experiences is what we would expect for one who mourns and learns to live in peace after a life-changing loss.

More than ten million people worldwide live with Parkinson's disease, and their spouses are most likely to be their primary caregivers. The transition from spouse to caregiver is not an easy one, often causing frustration, resentment, sadness, fear, and concern about the future. A lot has been written about caring for the Parkinson's patient, but their caregivers need a book to help them cope with the enormous life changes that Parkinson's brings to a relationship. This book does that. Barbara Davis's husband had Parkinson's for over twenty years. She wrote this book after more than two decades of personal experience because she wanted to chronicle the serious matters that most Parkinson's partners don't like to talk about publicly, and the feelings and frustrations they are embarrassed to share. By discussing these challenges openly and honestly, this unique book seeks to help others in ways that are not otherwise easily accessible, and to let them know that they are not alone in dealing with the negative life impacts of Parkinson's Disease. Advice from a Parkinson's Wife is realistic and enlightening, providing stories and advice from someone who's been there, along with practical suggestions for how to cope with the changes caregivers experience. Among the topics covered in the book are: -How your marriage changes and what caregiving does to you-How to handle doctor visits-What to do about falls, clinging, masks, and variability-Handling guilt and other emotions -Suggestions for practical things you can do to make things easierBeing a caregiver is tough, but with the wisdom, compassion, and advice in this book, the hope is that you can find moments when you can experience something approaching happiness, pleasure, and maybe even joy.

Yoga is one of the most beneficial complementary therapies for Parkinson's disease, helping to increase flexibility, correct posture, and in general, enhance the quality of life. The authors provide an easy-to-follow and encouraging guide for bringing the benefits of yoga into your life.

Eighteen years ago Joan Grady-Fitchett was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. Rejecting her doctors prognosis, Grady-Fitchett decided to live life to the fullest, and drew strength from her spiritual center, which uplifted her on the good days and sustained her through the bad. Grady-Fitchetts unique literary voice makes this illness and its effects understandable.

I have had Parkinson's disease (PD) for twenty-two years. I am told I have a mild case, but it is still my PD and I live with it 24/7. I would be a gross understatement to say my life was changed forever. Interesting, many of these changes have made me a more compassionate, empathetic, and caring person. In part, this book was motivated by the following premise: Many of us will experience a life-changing event that will cause us to pause and reassess where we are, what we do, and why we do it. For some, it might be the death of a loved one or a personal tragedy. Or it might be a re-awakening-that aha moment. For me, it was January 2, 1995, when my neurologist said, "Mr. Spekman, I have some bad news for you-you have Parkinson's." My life as it knew it crumpled around me. I could have wallowed in self-pity, but I am a fighter and chose eventually to manage my PD. I have adopted a number of Eastern non-traditional approached to deal with my PD. I have a yoga practice, meditate daily, and engage in massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments. All these different approaches complement my medication, and all contribute to my being very healthy, given the length of time I have had Parkinson's. I will take you on a journey, my journey, starting with denial to depression to, finally, acceptance. This book is more than the story of one man's journey with PD; it is a story of hope and personal transformation. If you permit me, I am going to take you on a journey that began over two decades ago. I have years to travel so do not ask where the destination is or ask if we are there yet. During the course of this book, I will share with you aspects of my life that were previously know to only a small number of people. It is through this intimacy that you will come to better understand and hopefully better deal with adversity that might affect your life.