Remembering another PD warrior
By Sheryl Jedlinski Early this month, the Parkinson’s disease community lost yet another long-time patient advocate and I lost a friend of more than 20 years. Linda Herman and I met … Continue reading
PD patients lose a strong advocate
The Parkinson’s disease community lost one of its most influential early patient advocates with the passing of Perry Cohen, PhD on May 9. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 1996, he dedicated … Continue reading
Navigating the FOG
By Sheryl Jedlinski I live my life on “high alert,” waiting for the next Parkinson’s disease symptom to blind side me. Most recently, the culprit was “freezing of gait” (FOG). … Continue reading
No gym? No problem!
By Sheryl Jedlinski When fitness facility operations first were curtailed to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself locked out of my gym with no access … Continue reading
Saving my teeth
By Sheryl Jedlinski I have never been a relaxed dental patient. My gag reflex is easily triggered, and I am extremely claustrophobic, necessitating my dentist get his hands and his … Continue reading
PD first took my sense of smell, and now my “magic” touch
By Sheryl Jedlinski I left my hubby, Tony, asleep in our bed, imagining how surprised he would be to awaken to the smell and taste of our family’s favorite … Continue reading
Thankful to be alive
By Sheryl Jedlinski This Thanksgiving I am grateful to be alive, having eluded the deadly grasp of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; exceeded the five-year survival mark for people with advanced … Continue reading
Second opinions lead to better care
By Sheryl Jedlinski We go to doctors in search of answers. We want to know what’s wrong with us, and what treatments we might consider. Even doctors who follow … Continue reading
Taking control: My approach to dealing with chronic disease
by Sheryl Jedlinski Living with two progressive, incurable diseases — Parkinson’s and cancer – has taught me to be a strong advocate for myself, learning and speaking up for my … Continue reading
Nocturnal leg cramps take their toll
By Sheryl Jedlinski Most nights I awake about 2 a.m. … writhing in pain, drenched in sweat, and yelling for help. One of my legs is spasming out of control … Continue reading
Shopping then and now
By Sheryl Jedlinski Growing up on Long Island in the 1960’s, my friends and I looked forward to spending our Saturdays at one of the new enclosed shopping malls becoming … Continue reading
Keeping calm when “The sky is falling”
By Sheryl Jedlinski Everything I know about pandemics I learned from Hollywood movies that play out our worst nightmare scenarios on the big screen. Providing the creepiness of horror movies and … Continue reading
My mom was a strong woman
By Sheryl Jedlinski My mom was one of the strongest women I’ve ever known. When she decided to do something, no one and nothing dared stand in her way. Growing … Continue reading
Facts about dying with Parkinson’s
By Sheryl Jedlinski When diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, many people view it as a death sentence and want to know how many “good” years they have left to live. … Continue reading
