This is a Letter to the Editor that I wrote, it was published in the Yuma Sun newspaper in October of 2012. You have my permission to submit it, or your own revised version, to your local newspaper. Let's share the facts of Parkinson's disease with our communities.
This is addressed to all the physicians in my community. I have Parkinson's disease. Here are some things you might not know about Parkinson's:
1. Almost 35 percent of Parkinson's patients never get a tremor — that's right, no tremor. The rest may have action tremor and not resting tremor. The tremor may be on just one side of the body; Parkinson's doesn't have to be on both sides.
2. No one is too young to have Parkinson's disease. I know people who were diagnosed in their teens. It is not in our imagination, we are not faking symptoms, we aren't drinking too much coffee or just anxious. There is definitely something wrong. Help us.
3. Stiffness and slowness of movement are common symptoms. Changes in gait and lack of arm swing when walking are telltale signs.
4. Parkinson's medicines can cause melanoma, so refer all your patients to a dermatologist for a complete skin check.
5. If a patient presents with upper back, shoulder or neck pain that you can't find a clinical reason for, it could be an early sign of Parkinson's disease. Don't dismiss it.
6. Parkinson's disease can affect our heart, and the medicines we take can affect our blood pressure. Your Parkinson's patient might just need their Parkinson's medications adjusted, not another prescription.
7. Changes in the ability to smell may be an early sign of Parkinson's.
8. Sleep changes, acting out dreams, vivid nightmares are all early signs of Parkinson's.
9. Changes in handwriting, letters becoming smaller and cramped are another early sign.
10. Changes in voice, slurring words and speaking softer are all signs.
11. Changes in facial expression or a blank look are signs.
12. Stooped posture or loss of balance is common.
13. Cognitive changes can be a side effect of the Parkinson's medications, so don't just assume otherwise and add another Rx.
14. Adding another medication to the tons we take isn't always the answer — it could be one of the medications we are already taking that is causing the problem.
15. Refer your patients to a movement disorder specialist preferably or at least a neurologist who knows about Parkinson's. Don't try to treat them yourself; Parkinson's is too complicated. I know, I have it.
Beverly Ribaudo
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| Sylvia singing |
Monday afternoon is karaoke time for me. Bob & Sylvia host it at a 55+ RV park not far from my home. I am under 55, but since it is open to the public, I am allowed to join in. I am the only Parkie who comes, but there is a lady with Essential Tremor who also attends, so I am not the only singer with shaking hands.
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| Bob wearing a halo |
The people seem to look forward to my humorous song parodies and I have done 1 or 2 that I wrote about Parkinson's disease. Bob will usually say "Here comes YumaBev, I wonder what surprise she has for us today". Last week I shocked everyone by singing the real words to a song. They clapped, but I think they were a tad disappointed. I will sing my song parodies from now on.
I sing at karaoke for several reasons.
1. It gets me out socially. Too many Parkies hide from people because they are self-conscience. No one has ever said anything mean to me, most are supportive.
2. Singing is good exercise for our voices.
3. Singing is fun. Fun is good for everyone.
4. No one sings like the professionals do and no one cares that I sing off-key. I have never been booed nor had tomatoes thrown at me.
Every one claps for everyone. We dance and Bob puts on silly costumes to fit the song being sung. We laugh and have a great time!
Here is the video clip of me singing at karaoke. The song is about a runaway golf cart and it based on a true story. If you look, you can see both of my hands are shaking badly, and afterwards, the woman approaching me asks if a music stand would help me. They all now know I have Parkinson's and encourage me, not discourage me.
I advise every Parkie to sing everyday. You don't need karaoke discs, just turn on the radio or type a song you like into an internet search engine and sing along. Sing loud, sing strong, sing in the shower and sing while you do laundry. Singing will help you keep the ability to speak. Sing! Sing! Sing!
PS And its FUN!
You can find all my videos on my YouTube channel:
Thank you for reading this story, I hope you enjoyed it. This is just one of a hundred stories in my book, Parkinson's Humor - Funny Stories about My Life with Parkinson's Disease. Please consider purchasing a copy from Amazon.com or your favorite online book seller. Thank you and have a Happy Parkie Day!
