I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in August 2016. At the end of my first exam, the doctor took out his smartphone to schedule our next visit. “Would you like to come back in six months or are you comfortable waiting a year?” A year? I was just diagnosed with brain disease and I’m offered a follow-up visit in a year? What about the brochures or instructions on what to do?
It soon became clear – learning about Parkinson’s was on me.
You might remember the book, All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. I didn’t learn about Parkinson’s when I was five. To learn about it I had to read research papers, books, anecdotal stories from people with Parkinson’s and I watched videos on YouTube. I had two takeaways from this exercise. First, excessive studying will drive you crazy. Find a doctor you trust and go live your life. And second, keep moving. Leading a sedentary life with this disease will kill you.
I wasn’t sedentary prior to my diagnosis. I was a golfer who got plenty of exercise walking to and from the cart. Who was I fooling? I needed to up my game. I needed to find an exercise that pushed my body and my dopamine.
For the most part, the list of recommended activities for Parkies include yoga, Pilates, boxing, walking and swimming. I knew that I didn’t want to swim because I was afraid of the water and the idea of getting into a pool surrounded by thousands of gallons terrified me. So what exercise did I pick? Swimming. Why? Because it’s hard.
I joined the Jewish Community Center (JCC), which is a large facility that has multiple gyms, classes, a school and, most importantly, five pools. I signed up for twice-a-week swim lessons. My goal was to learn all four strokes in three years.
My first few lessons were humbling. I was a 52-year old hanging onto a cement wall learning how to kick while kids were swimming all around me with the greatest of ease.
After about a month I was pretty confident in my ability to swim without my instructor. I decided to solo on sunny Sunday afternoon. I hopped in a lane with a middle-aged man and after three laps he told me I had to get out of the pool.
“Why do I need to get out?” I asked.
“Because you suck and you’re slowing me down.”
As if hearing that I sucked wasn’t humiliating enough I suffered another indignity – I hung myself on the lane line on my way out of the pool.
In the two years since the “you suck” incident, my swimming experiment has evolved into 25-yards in 22-seconds for the freestyle and 26-seconds for the backstroke. Although not quite as good as my daughter, she is willing to race me all day if it means I’m keeping Parky at bay.
I swim nearly every day. I cut through the men’s locker room at the JCC on my way to the pool. It isn’t the most direct route but I do it because I’m able to see four old Jewish men sitting around discussing the events of the day. On the forearm of each is a numbered tattoo.
I look at their arms and think, “If they can survive the Holocaust, then you can survive Parkinson’s.”
Oh, and that man who kicked me out of the pool? He doesn’t do that anymore. I swam next to him a few weeks ago. “You’re good now,” he said.
Keep moving.
Kevin Woo is a freelance writer based in San Francisco. His portfolio can be found out www.kevinjwoo.com.
It doesn’t take long to figure out that 19-year-old Jaydon Grant is just like his father, Brian. Well, except for the fact that he chose college football over basketball.
When 19-year-old Jaydon Grant was asked to stand up in front of roughly 300 people at this year’s Shake It Till We Make It gala and give a speech about his father, he was nervous. But later on, he realized, “I didn’t have to be nervous. I was just talking about my dad, something I’m really passionate about.”
Jaydon is Brian’s fourth-oldest out of eight kids. He is currently a sophomore at Oregon State University (OSU) where he plays defensive back for the Beavers football team, while studying business and digital communications. Like his father, Jaydon has elite athleticism, good instincts and dreams of playing in the big leagues.
“I feel like every college football player has aspirations to play at the next level,” Jaydon admits. “But that was never my dream growing up. If you would have bet a million dollars 10 years ago that I’d be playing football in college, I would have bet against it. I didn’t even play football until my senior year in high school.”
The honor roll student was already two-time team captain on Oregon’s West Linn High School’s basketball team when he decided to give football a shot. He wound up recording 54 tackles and four interceptions during playoffs and earned a reputation as one of the state’s premier players late in the season. He initially committed to the Oregon Ducks as a preferred walk on before changing his mind to sign on with the OSU Beavers.
How did Brian react to Jaydon’s decision to choose football over basketball?
“Regarding sports, it’s always been our choice,” Jaydon explains. “He never forced me to work out or play sports. In fact, he hardly encouraged it, and I mean that in the best way possible.
“My dad’s done a really good job of letting us be our own person. He wanted us to create our own stories. Whatever we were interested in doing, he was always supportive of it. He always said, ‘When you see a window of opportunity, don’t just take it, run through it.’”
Baby Rasta Monsta
The year Jaydon was born (1998) was when the “Rasta Monsta” was on fire. It was Brian’s second season with the Portland Trail Blazers. Appearing in 48 out of 50 games, he grabbed an average of 9.8 boards per game, which ranked him 12th in the NBA in rebounding. He hauled down 70 rebounds—just over 17.5 per game—and led his team to their first Pacific Division title since 1991.
What was it like growing up with a famous dad?
“Once I got older, I was able to reflect on the caliber of professional basketball player he was,” Jaydon says. “I remember as a little boy always wanting to go to his games, being eager to be there. It was all a blur. It goes by really quick. But it was such a unique experience being able to watch my dad play at the highest level.”
It wasn’t just Brian’s athletic prowess that made Trail Blazers fans adore him—he was known around town for his big heart. He took pride in his role as Ronald McDonald House spokesperson for Oregon and Southwest Washington and spent his spare time visiting children’s hospitals.
Brian has said that the highlight of his NBA career wasn’t the 7,933 points he scored or his 5,622 rebounds—it was when he received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in recognition of his outstanding community service and charitable work during the 1998-1999 season.
“My dad came from nothing, evolving to live a professional basketball player’s lifestyle. But he always taught us to be humble in every way growing up. That’s something I’m really proud of now,” Jaydon says. “I hear things he did back in 1998—the year I was born—how he treated people at that time. And he’s still the same way. I’m glad he raised me to be that way too.”
Dark Clouds
Jaydon was 9 years old when his dad told him he had Parkinson’s. “I remember him sitting us down. They told all of us together at the same time. In that very moment, I put it past me. But once I really realized what he had told me, that’s when I started feeling that fear of the unknown.
“I didn’t know anything about Parkinson’s,” he says. “Then my dad took us to a gala to raise money for Parkinson’s research. That was the first time I saw people with Parkinson’s symptoms. It was hard to see what happens to people with Parkinson’s. It was hard to realize what was going to happen to my dad.”
Jaydon was worried about his dad feeling embarrassed by his Parkinson’s symptoms, especially when he noticed Brian trying to hide his tremoring hand whenever they were out in public. It bothered him when people would talk about it at school.
“I dealt with uneducated remarks about my dad’s diagnosis,” he says. “Like the time my teacher told the whole class that a new development showed that people with Parkinson’s only had a life expectancy of 10 years after being diagnosed. That scared me to death. To be honest, I don’t think he had any idea my dad had Parkinson’s. But that was one of those moments when I internalized stuff.
“I’ve had classmates come up to me, saying, ‘Things are only going to get worse for your dad.’ I was mad, but I knew a lot of people weren’t informed about Parkinson’s. So I decided to keep it to myself and not act out on my anger.”
Silver Linings
Ten years into his diagnosis, Brian is doing exceptionally well and has been successful at slowing down the progression of his disease. “I believe it’s because he’s been exercising his whole life,” Jaydon says. “His ability to train has helped him stay active, which is the most important thing you can do when you have Parkinson’s.”
He says the Brian Grant Foundation has been a big help too. It gives his dad a sense of purpose and the chance to help others stay active and live happier, healthier lives with Parkinson’s. And helping others is something his dad has always loved to do.
“I have learned so much just being around the foundation since it was launched,” Jaydon says. “It taught me everything I know about Parkinson’s. All the resources it provides to help people with Parkinson’s and hearing how effective my dad’s foundation has been at helping people—that’s what gives me hope and comfort in those situations.
“I feel like a lot of people know the ‘good guy’ image that Brian Grant has in the community. But I don’t know if people really understand that this is how he is all the time. He’s always trying to help others, always putting others ahead of himself. Anyone who has doubts or thinks that he’s only doing this in his public life should know that this is who he really is.”
By Kathryn Jones
Parkinson’s can take a toll on our mental health, whether we are a person with the disease or a care partner.
It’s true. A Parkinson’s diagnosis would make anyone feel stressed, anxious or depressed. But not everyone understands that these are real clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, alongside tremors, rigidity and freezing episodes.
This may be due to the way Parkinson’s affects the brain’s ability to regulate dopamine and other “feel good” chemicals, scientists have theorized. There’s also the stress that comes with staying on top of medical appointments and medications, and feeling unsure of what the future will entail.
Meanwhile, watching a loved one with Parkinson’s cope with symptoms while providing round-the-clock care can trigger stress, anxiety and depression in their partners. It’s common for both parties to be worried about the other person’s emotional well-being.
Whether you are living with Parkinson’s or caring for someone with the disease, we came up with five tips to help fight stress, anxiety and depression—plus an easy way to remember them. Here’s a hint: Life can get M.E.S.S.Y. When it does, reach for one of these tools in your mental toolbox.
M is for Meditate
Meditation has long been used in Eastern medicine to improve focus and achieve mental clarity. Now even Western scientists are studying the neurobehavioral effects of meditation or “mindfulness” for a range of chronic diseases, including Parkinson’s and dementia.
Their research revealed that meditation not only improves how the brain functions over time, but it helps us in the short term, as well, by releasing hormones that lower stress and anxiety, and regulate our sleep cycle. Meditation helps us clear brain fog and control racing thoughts. It keeps us focused, alert and living in the present. It can even help a person with Parkinson’s talk themselves through a freezing episode.
Just remember that meditation doesn’t come easily for everyone. It takes practice and determination to be good at it. If you’re not sure where to start, read our article on mindfulness meditation and try the simple practice that’s included.
E is Exercise
You saw that one coming, didn’t you? It’s hard to get the motivation. But once you do it and stick with it, you’ll feel better physically and mentally. Why? Because exercise is the best medicine for Parkinson’s.
It’s a one-stop shop for reducing tremors, stiffness, rigidity; improving balance, gait and sleep; and lowering stress, anxiety and depression. This is your chance to physically fight back against disease progression. Exercise gives you the sense of feeling more in control over your body and your brain.
There are days when you want to hide from the rest of the world. You seek solace on your couch. You binge on Netflix. You become absorbed in a video game. The weeks go by, and before you know it, you’ve gone too long without seeing your favorite people.
Anxiety, depression and stress will rear their ugly heads if you allow yourself to become lost in your own thoughts for too long. Deep down, humans thrive on human companionship. Sometimes all it takes is a phone call to a friend or relative, or a kind smile from a stranger, to snap yourself out of a bad mood.
You can also join us for one of our events! Whether it’s an online program or an in person cooking class, we have a variety of ways for you to join us and meet other people in the Parkinson’s community. Joining an Parkinson’s exercise class is also a great way to socialize and get your steps in. Visit our exercise classfinder as a first step to finding a class in your area.
S is for Seek Help
When stress, anxiety or depression become overwhelming or you’re just plain tired of feeling lousy all the time, don’t be afraid to seek professional counseling. Seeking medical attention when we’re physically ill is what people do all the time. Why should it be any different when we feel mentally or emotionally unwell?
Talking to a counselor or therapist is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of strength. It means that you are able to recognize when you don’t feel like yourself. What’s more, you are brave enough to ask for support. Sometimes the best self-care you can do is allowing others to care for you. This goes for care partners too.
Y is for Yoga
Yoga is especially beneficial for those living with Parkinson’s because it boosts mobility, strength, balance and flexibility. Performing stretching motions while taking slow, deep breaths sends oxygen to various parts of the body for nourishment, while reducing stress, depression and anxiety.
In fact, a study conducted by the Yoga Biomedical Trust in London found that 94 percent of participants saw a reduction in anxiety after performing yoga each morning. Try doing yoga before you start your day. During the last few minutes of your practice, when you’re lying in savasana or stillness, set your intention for what you wish to achieve in the next 24 hours, even if it’s just “peace of mind.”
Yoga is the perfect tool to pull yourself out of panic mode because it almost acts like a reset button. If you’re overwhelmed, take a few minutes to do some yoga. Focusing on breathing and gliding your body into relaxing postures will soothe frazzled nerves and improve mental focus. At the very least, it’s a temporary distraction from whatever stressed you out in the first place.
By Kathryn Jones
Parkinson’s Exercise Videos
Our Parkinson’s exercise videos use many activities to help with common symptoms. As a result our videos can help you with your symptoms. Because of this people with Parkinson’s should try to exercise most days of the week.
Our Parkinson’s exercise videos are based on research from the Oregon Health and Science University. As a result the activities in our videos have been shown to help with the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Also our exercise for Parkinson’s recommendations are based on this research. You can view our recommendations on our website.
Make sure you talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise program. If you see a physical therapist, she or he may also help you make sure you are ready to start a new program.
Watch Video
Parkinson’s Exercise Program: Warm Up
Our Parkinson’s exercise videos use many activities to help with common symptoms. As a result our videos can help you with your symptoms. In this video you will learn a gentle warm up to get started with your Parkinson’s exercise program.
Our Parkinson’s exercise videos are based on research from the Oregon Health and Science University. As a result the activities in our videos have been shown to help with the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Also our exercise for Parkinson’s recommendations are based on this research. You can view our recommendations on our website.
Make sure you talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise program. If you see a physical therapist, she or he may also help you make sure you are ready to start a new program.
Watch Video
Parkinson’s Exercise Video: Aerobics and Agility
In the second video from exercise for Parkinson’s program, Jenny Wilhelm, PT leads activities to get your heart rate going and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
Parkinson’s Exercise Video: Lunges
In the third video from our exercise for Parkinson’s program, Jenny Wilhelm, PT uses lunges to benefit some of the common symptoms of the disease.
Parkinson’s Exercise Video: Boxing
In this Parkinson’s exercise video, Jenny Wilhelm, PT teaches us boxing to improve symptoms.
Exercise for Parkinson’s Video: Pilates and Yoga
In this exercise for Parkinson’s video, Jenny Wilhelm leads Pilates and yoga to cool down and increase flexibility.
