I’m a writer and retired pediatrician, and the unlucky recipient of a 2020 diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. There are a lot of us PwPs (People with Parkinson’s) out there – an estimated 500,000 to 1 million Americans live with this disease. I hope to reach the PwP community, including those with the disease, their loved ones, and caregivers, and also anyone interested in science, history, oddball research, rabbit holes and, yes, even humor.

Because there’s more to life than Parkinson’s…

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Why “A Moving Disorder”? Isn’t Parkinson’s disease a movement disorder? 

True, Parkinson’s is classified as a “movement disorder,” defined as “a group of nervous system conditions that cause either increased movements or reduced or slow movements.” But the word “movement” strikes me as too static in this case, too stuck-in-one-place. Too much noun and not enough verb.

Take the definitions of “movement” and “moving.” Movement: “The act or process of moving.” Moving: “To be in motion.” It’s a subtle difference, but a real one, and a key to living with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder, with some good days and some bad days, its symptoms waxing and waning, always on the move. It’s the same for those of us who live with this disease—we’re moving­ to try to slow the progression, to beat back the disease, to feel more like our old selves, if only for a while. Dance, boxing, tai chi, yoga, running, strength training, etc., etc.—it’s all about keeping in motion. Moving.

And then there’s another meaning to moving: “Producing strong emotion, especially sadness or sympathy.” There’s no way around that one. People with Parkinson’s and their caregivers often encounter sadness—the emotions that come with diminished physical and mental capacities, your own or those of a loved one. But sadness doesn’t have to be the dominant emotion. There’s still joy and humor to be had.  

So…it’s A Moving Disorder. Okay?

I hope you’ll enjoy my blog. I plan to focus on Parkinson’s—the science of the disease, its history (James Parkinson was a fascinating fellow!) and my personal experiences and reflections. I’ll write about random things that interest me, too—there’s a lot more to life as a PwP than worrying about my nervous system going haywire…  

I hope to hear from you, too, whether you’re a Person with Parkinson’s, a friend or relative of a PwP, or just someone who likes to read about science, history, and personal musings. Please write!

My email address is mpjsloan@amovingdisorder.blog.

Thanks!

Mark Sloan MD

Santa Rosa, California