Non-Parkinson’s division My family's wonderful Thanksgiving hosts, my sister and her husband, have invited us to celebrate this year with a fun added feature. They've asked all of us to bring our favorite food for others to try. It can be a go-to dinner party favorite, a preferred TV-watching snack, Bubbe's babka or Grandma's apple …
Author: Andi Brown
I was born in 1951 and raised in Providence, RI. I retired in early 2022 from a long and successful career in fund development, helping nonprofit organizations secure the resources they need to fulfill their missions.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in July of 2021. I am attempting to box and dance the disease into submission despite being horribly uncoordinated. I'm a graduate of Colgate University and live in Brookline, MA, not too far from my adult son and daughter. When not “moving and shaking” I can frequently be found writing fiction, or with knitting needles in hand, eating chocolate.
When am I?
This has happened enough times that you’d think I’d recognize it immediately when it occurred again. I’ll give you a hint: it’s a favorite PD topic, rhymes with leap and Bo-Peep. I’m talking about you, you of the irregular REM cycles and the oh-so-annoying insomnias and the maddening restless legs— SLEEP! I was rudely awakened …
I have Parkinson’s – Now What?
Reminder: I am not a physician or health care provider of any kind. Please speak with someone who didn't almost flunk freshman bio before embarking on any treatment or exercise regimen. You've gotten the diagnosis you've been dreading. Your neurologist hands you a bunch of prescriptions: Take one and a half of this every four …
An Invitation. No Thank You
I’m off to Parkyland. A vacation this is not. About three years ago, I received an invitation to a journey I had no desire to embark on. "No, I'm good" I told Mr. P, as I contemplated my impending retirement filled with novels to read and write, trips to take, language skills to improve...you get …
Bams, cracks and soap, oh my!
Perhaps you think I’m referring to some weird sort of arsenal. The crack is some kind of baseball bat-like weapon, which you use to crack someone’s ribs, or head, or other delicate body part. Hmmm, I don’t think so. The bam? See “crack” above. And how might one deploy soap as a weapon besides the …
A Parkinson’s Podcast with Attitude
Go Fund Me Many of us receive daily bulletins about the latest Parkinson’s treatment options and….is a cure really at hand? And why am I suddenly experiencing tremors on my left side when they used to appear only on the right? Is it okay to take Pramipexol with Gabapentin? There’s lots of information via blogs …
It’s Showtime, Folks
It sings (badly)! It dances (worse)! But it’s fun, and maybe even a little bit educational. That is, today’s blog. And it just might be the wave of the future because, in the works as we speak, is Moving and Shaking: the Podcast, with audio and video! https://videopress.com/v/GkTFwkdx?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Meanwhile, please do watch today’s bit of …
Something old (me) … something new
New is what they say to do Especially when you're 72 (And when you have Parkinson’s) Oh wait, maybe that’s for Alzheimer’s. Or is it to ward off MS? Or just plain old age? I’m confused. I think I need a google research break. Excuse me. I’m back and holy shit! The term du jour …
I’m so tired
It's nice to forget I have a chronic illness until after I’ve already agreed to join a friend at a museum, and we realize I've already exceeded my days' activity quota, and therefore the day will not end well, which could mean anything from tremors and other nasty Parkinson's sensations all the way up to …
Can I Still Read?Old age or…something else?
Chatting with a friend who non-sequiturially (I know, probably a made up word. Report me to the grammar police) announced “ my eyes hurt, I’ve gained ten pounds, my chronic migraines have returned with a vengeance and I am this far away (she holds up her thumb and forefinger less than an inch apart) from …
Continue reading Can I Still Read?Old age or…something else?
Moving and Shaking 