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Continue reading →: Driving Habits, Flatulence, and Turkish Airlines: A Parkinson’s Pot PourriLots to cover this week! A new potential way to detect cognitive decline, news about the possible benefits of breaking wind, and an update on Turkish Airlines’ less-than-welcoming Parkinson’s policy. Bonus: a mashup of the White Stripes and Curtis Mayfield. And a lot of “cold beer.”
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Continue reading →: Where Disability Rights Began: The Loud Voices Who Got Us the ADAHere in the US, we may take the protections of the Americans With Disabilities Act for granted — after all, the law’s been there for 35 years. But it only happened because for decades, disabled activists refused to shut up. As some of our protections come under attack, here’s a salute to those loud voices…
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Continue reading →: Squeaky Wheels, Grease, and Parkinson’s: From Cynicism to ActionIn their book The Parkinson’s Plan, Ray Dorsey and Michael Okun portray Parkinson’s as a preventable disease. They lay out a plan for eliminating the chemicals and pesticides that cause PD. They ask us to contact our representatives and make our voices heard. . I’ve been skeptical. Parkinson’s sometimes seems invincible. Our government sometimes seems…
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Continue reading →: Resisting the “One-Way Train”: Adapting to Parkinson’s Without SurrenderParkinson’s doesn’t care who you are or what you’ve accomplished. The New York Times recently profiled Sue Goldie — Harvard professor, “Genius Grant” recipient, triathelete, and now, PWP. Goldie is fighting with everything she has. Results are mixed. We can learn from her experience. Bonus: reggae Pink Floyd, the original “Police on My Back,” and…
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Continue reading →: From Boy Scout to Brain Games: How I Found Clarity in PipsI’ve always had trouble interpreting images. I can handle written directions, but please don’t draw me a map. A recent encounter with an online “brain game” forced me to confront this issue… with surprising results.
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Continue reading →: Take Control of Your Next Neurologist AppointmentToo many patients, too few neurologists — it’s hard to get value from a 20-minute appointment every six months. With some advance preparation and a plan, we can get what we need.
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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.
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 