We agree these Medical Alert bracelets are not fashion statements, but they are worth wearing when traveling and in other high risk situations. Widely available, this one is from Amazon.com. American Medical Alert also carries a wide variety of styles and sizes. Medical Alert charms and necklaces are also available.
Saturday, May 19, 2012 
Check out this ABC News article, which includes an interview with our own Diane Cook! Gene Predicts Parkinson's Progression
Michael J. Fox Looks Past Stem Cells in Search For Parkinson's Cure
Routine Colonoscopy Could Predict Parkinson's
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 We can learn so much from each other when we are willing to openly share our struggles and triumphs. 
This week’s post describes some remarkable articles written by people either living with PD or looking back from long lives.
If you are thinking about writing about your life with PD, go for it! The process may be cathartic for you and others who read it online or elsewhere. You might consider contributing to Share Your Story, described at the end of this post.
Coming Out
These two articles (links below) were first published in the Wall Street Journal and Forbes Magazine. The author, Bret Parker, sent them to us. Here are some excerpts:
Someone who is 43 years old shouldn’t have Parkinson’s. Someone who has young children couldn’t have Parkinson’s. For a long time, silence seemed logical. As long as my Parkinson’s was not impacting my day-to-day functioning, no one had to know. When I was first diagnosed, my symptoms were almost impossible to detect and there wasn’t for my family or friends “to do” so I figured it wasn’t worth telling people. I certainly didn’t want to worry anyone, especially my two young sons. And even though Young Onset Parkinson’s usually progresses slowly and it could be years before I am significantly affected, I didn’t want this impacting my career. I’m not so disabled that I can’t work – I certainly don’t want people to make decisions about me with some misplaced stigma.
So even though I shouldn’t be ashamed or embarrassed about something I didn’t choose, I’ve kept this to myself for years. Yet, my secret slowly ate away at me. As my Parkinson’s progressed, one small noticeable symptom after the next, what began as a secret felt like it was becoming a lie.
As I contemplated how I would finally reveal my condition, I realized that my secrecy was not protecting me at all. Rather, it was my way of denying that I have this chronic disease and controlling the one thing I could control – how many people know I have Parkinson’s.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2012/03/12/the-last-workplace-secret/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304723304577368260408723038.html
Life Report
The NYT columnist David Brooks has asked readers over 70 to submit essays to his “Life Report” blog evaluating their lives. One of the most frequently read posts in the popular collection is the story of Charkes Snelling and wife, Adrienne, who developed Alzheimer’s disease. Writing about caring for Adriene, Snelling says: “It’s not noble, it’s not sacrificial and it’s not painful. It’s just right in the scheme of things.”
Take a deep breath. Here is what comes next. Mr. Snelling killed his wife and himself a few months after he wrote these devoted words. Brooks wrote an op-ed piece about the murder-suicide that is thought-provoking. His readers had equally poignant things to say:
The Life Report: http://brooks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/the-life-report-regina-titus
Share Your Story
Everyone's experience of living with Parkinson's is unique. The Parkinson’s Disease foundation offers a program called Share Your Story where people living with Parkinson's write about the challenges and joys of living with the disease. Titles of recent stories include: Jewish Theology of Parkinson's Disease, “Attitude.” and “The Shadow.” Three guesses what the shadow is! To read other’s stories or tell your own: http://www.pdf.org/en/personal_stories
Betsy
Friday, May 11, 2012 New Study Questions Usefulness of DaTscan for Parkinson's Diagnosis
A Leader in Parkinson's Research
Scientists Identify Brain Circuitry Associated with Addictive, Depressive Behaviors
Parkinson's Disease Patients More Risk Averse, USF Researchers Find
Monday, May 7, 2012 My words here will be brief because the Unity Walk video tells the story, not in words, but in images that convey the spirit, hope, support, energy and commitment of the Parkinson’s community to find a cure for this disease. The lines of people stretched back as far as the eye could see, and they kept on coming, and coming. The unity of purpose was palpable.
Take a moment to watch this short video. It will touch you deeply with the overwhelming support from so many; it will warm your heart with the smiles of families encouraging the good fight; it will inspire you to be active and do what you can; it will comfort you in the knowledge that so many people are uniting on your behalf.
I’ve bookmarked the link, so when I feel the need, I can draw strength from the smiles, energy and vibrant sense of community that stand behind all of us with Parkinson’s disease.
Diane
Diane with Davis Phinney Foundation Executive Director Polly Dawkins
