Shakin' Street — A Parkinson's Blog

Ping pong can be very beneficial for people with Parkinson’s. Standard play involves two participants and one table. Can it be even better with two tables, 8 players, and balls bouncing in from all directions? A group in Colorado, with an assist from a Portugese researcher, is trying this innovative approach out.

Last week, I wrote of a friend who’s been a cancer patient and a Parkinson’s patient at the same medical center. There’s a big difference in the level of “customer service” you get depending on the nature of your illness. Several initiatives are underway that may improve things for people with Parkinson’s and caregivers.

There can be a wide variation in support for patients at the same medical system, depending on the nature of their illness. Some Parkinson’s patients think we’re getting the short end of the stick.

Most of us would pay a large sum to someone who could reverse our Parkinson’s symptoms. And there are a lot of companies asking us to invest our dollars in their proposed solutions. We’re not just patients — we’re prospects.

We sometimes behave differently when we know someone’s looking. Can that effect make our roads safer? And what does this have to do with Parkinson’s?

Operating a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right. Many of us can still drive safely, but Parkinson’s can take a toll on reflexes, cognition, and judgement. How will we know when it’s time to hand over the keys?

After the diagnosis, deciding what and when to tell your employer is a tough decision. If you are weighing the options, here are some thoughts and resources.

I’ve always been partial to button-fly jeans. That’s what I wore until some time in 2021, when the fingers of my right hand decided to go on strike. This was pre-diagnosis and pre-medication — all I knew was that a trip to the rest room had become a three-act play. So I bought a bunch…

The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act has passed Congress, and is awaiting the president signature. It is likely to result in a huge increase in research funding over the next decade. What does it mean for those of us who have Parkinson’s right now?