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Continue reading →: The Chemicals Next DoorGenetics appears to account for only a fraction of Parkinson’s cases — most cases have environmental causes. A new book details many of the chemicals responsible, where you might find them, and what you can do about them. It’s a daunting task.
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Continue reading →: Bikes to Brains — How Cycling May Slow Parkinson’sIt’s become conventional wisdom: exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson’s. Now we’re learning why: a recent study demonstrates that exercise can rewire connections in the brain. Bonus: Frankie Valli sings Dylan.
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Continue reading →: Pardon MeIn which Phil encounters a stranger who might have Parkinson’s…and can’t decide whether to say something. What would you have done?
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Continue reading →: Hucksters, Hype, and Motivated VictimsPeople with Parkinson’s can be particularly vulnerable to scams and sham remedies. We’re dealing with forces outside our control, financial and emotional strain, and sometimes cognitive issues. A bad actor promising to fix our problems can find victims in our midst. Here’s some advice on pitfalls to watch out for, and steps to protect ourselves.
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Continue reading →: Parkinson’s Athletes: Motivation or Unrealistic Expectation?Inspirational stories motivate some of us with disabilities, but not all. For others, they can minimize everyday struggles, create unrealistic expectations, and negatively affect mental health. Here are some thoughts on the pros and cons of inspirational stories. Bonus: Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs:” on a dulcimer.
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Continue reading →: Lights Out: Eyesight, Parkinson’s, and the Chocolate FactoryThe conveyor belt of Parkinson’s symptoms never stops moving. It’s up to us and our care partners to anticipate what’s coming down the chute. Here’s a story of a scary new symptom that surprised a PD warrior on the road. Bonus: Johnny Bench sings!
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Continue reading →: Stuck in the System: Those Administrative Hassles May Be DeliberateIf you’ve ever appealed an insurance denial, tried to get a refund from an airline, or navigated a particularly difficult automated phone tree, you’ve dealt with “sludge” — deliberate corporate obstacles designed to wear you down until you give up. Here’s a peek behind the sludgy curtain, and one possible way to generate small victories.
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Continue reading →: Bill Plaschke Knows How to Make an AnnouncementA longtime LA Times columnist announces his Parkinson’s diagnosis on a big stage. And this blogger takes up Sudoku. Bonus: salutes to Sly Stone, Brian Wilson and Norman Moreau.
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Continue reading →: Can I Blame Golf?A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows a relationship between golf courses and Parkinson’s. The relationship may affect even those who don’t golf — like me.
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Continue reading →: If You Had a Magic Parkinson’s WandSometimes the most important issue on a patient’s mind gets missed during a neurology appointment. A technique borrowed from the world of sales might make our interactions more impactful. Bonus: radically re-worked versions of “Inna Gadda Da Vida” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”
Hello,
I’m Phil Bernstein
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease on May 25, 2023. At the time, I was only vaguely aware of Parkinson’s — primarily from articles in People about Michael J. Fox. And I didn’t know anyone with the disease.
Now, I know a lot more about the illness, and I’ve joined the Parkinson’s community in my hometown of Portland, Oregon.
I’ve found that writing helps me think through challenges, and this illness definitely qualifies as a challenge. I’ve started Shakin’ Street to help me think through the various obstacles, tools, and resources that a newly-diagnosed Parkinson’s patient encounters along the way.
I hope some of these posts help you address and tackle your own challenges.
Shakin' Street -- A Parkinson's Blog 