The cures we want aren’t going to fall from the sky. We have to get ladders and climb up and get them.

As 2015 comes to a close, those of us in the Parkinson’s community are excited about the many new  research discoveries regarding the causes and treatments for Parkinson’s Disease.  It seems that every week in the past few months, another discovery, whether it is a drug or therapy,  has shown to be effective in either slowing the progression of the disease or in some cases, even reversing it.  In the 7 years since I was diagnosed, I have never been so hopeful that maybe this year will bring the big breakthrough.

This is exciting news, especially since some of those drugs that show a positive effect in PD patients have already been approved for other diseases, thus reducing the time for FDA approval for persons with Parkinson’s.  Even salicylic acid, the main ingredient in aspirin, which we all have in our medicine cabinets, has proven to be effective for reducing the cell-death that leads to Parkinson’s.  Today there was even more good news.  Researchers at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Research Institute in San Diego are beginning trials on humans using stem-cells taken from the patient’s own skin.  Watch this video on KUSI News  Once the pilot project is approved by the FDA, the clinical trials should open up to multi-national research centers.  Researchers expect this to be a long term treatment for the movement disorders associated with PD.    FDA approval could be made in the next 24-36 months.

For me, 2015 brought about many changes.  My second grandchild was born in May, followed two weeks later by the passing of my mother.  It was a very tumultuous, emotional time for me.  I began writing shortly before my mother’s death, which eventually led to this blog.  This was one of the things that helped me to get through that very difficult time.  Thank you to all of my followers around the world.  It has been a very gratifying experience to share my “adventures with Parkinson’s” with all of you, making new friends because of our common bond.  I have almost 100 followers, so if you have not yet followed “Twitchy Woman” either here or on Facebook, please follow now so that we can get to 100 by December 31.

So looking forward to 2016:

A cure, perhaps?  Or at least a treatment that reverses the progression of PD.  Michael J. Fox said that the Michael J Fox Foundation has one mission – to find a cure – and once that cure is found, he will shut down his Foundation.  Let’s hope that 2016 is the year that he will close up shop.

For me, I plan to continue writing, enjoying this new-found creative outlet that I discovered after PD diagnosis.   Maybe I will end up like every other Parkinson’s patient with a blog and write a book.  OK, maybe a pamphlet.

Speaking of books, I hope to review a few more in the coming months, including the just published “Goodbye Parkinson’s, Hello Life!” by Alex Kerten, whose Gyro-Kinetics Center in Herzliya, Israel is a leader worldwide in treating clients with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders.  I have just started reading this and want to try some of his exercises for relieving PD symptoms.  Stay tuned.

I have become a PD Advocate for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation after having spent a wonderful weekend with 25 other women with PD at the PDF’s Women & Parkinson’s Initiative conference last September.   I am looking forward to engaging with other women with PD living in Los Angeles.   On January 17, I will be hosting a meeting for women with PD to learn about the Women & Parkinson’s Initiative and to hear from a local PDF Research Advocate about getting involved in clinical research for PD.   If you are interested in this or future events for Women & PD in LA, please contact me directly.

I will continue to work on my boxing skills with Rock Steady Boxing NY/LA.  It is very hard work and great exercise.  Boxing has improved my balance and reflexes, and most importantly, my tennis game.   Besides, the men way outnumber the women in boxing classes, which makes it even more fun.  (Just don’t tell my husband).

Ommmmmmmmmmm……..yoga is the one calming activity that I regularly participate in.    It keeps me aware of my body, my balance and stretches my muscles.  I can still do a tree pose successfully most days, no worse than the others in the classes I attend.   Shavasana, Corpse Pose, at the end is better than a nap.  When I am done with class I am ready to take on the day.

Finally, I am looking forward to a year of new adventures with my husband, and not allowing Parkinson’s to take charge of me.  I will be in charge of my Parkinson’s and continue to enjoy life with my family and friends.

Wishing all of you a happy holiday and wonderful, healthy New Year.

Sharon

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