How Your Life Has Changed with Parkinson's Disease

How did you learn that you had Parkinson's disease?

I've had Parkinson's for 12 years. It started with a tremor in my my left hand, but I knew it was PD because my father had it, and my sister was also diagnosed two years ago. We have genetic PD.

Now that you are diagnosed with Parkinson's, has the disease changed the dynamic between you and your family? In a good way or a bad way?

I don't think my children really understand what I go through on a daily basis. Some do more than others, but it's hard when they all work and have children. I live on my own but near my children. I wish I could give them a book to read to explain all the facts about PD, but some of them don't seem to want to talk about it.

What methods and strategies have you learned to cope with the challenges of the disease?

My medication- I couldn't live without it, and also my yoga. I am starting Pilates classes next week. I need to exercise because it makes you feel so much better. I think it is the key to fighting PD.