My Favorite Books and Other Helpful Things

Here are some of my favorite books on Parkinson’s along with a few other items I have found helpful throughout my journey.

The soft-cover edition ofExquisite Warriors by Laura Russell 
Order it here for $100.

Hot off the Press: 

Parkinson’s: How to Reduce Symptoms through Exercise


Favorite Books

Perseverance

by Tim Hague

Hague was diagnosed with YOPD at age 46 and won Canada’s Amazing Race race with his son, Tim Jr., 3 years later.  The highlight of the book is his blow by blow account of the Race, which he never expected to win.

Brain Storms

by Jon Palfreman

Still my all-time favorite. After his own diagnosis with PD, Palfreman, an award winning science journalist, wrote this insightful book about the doctors, researchers, and patients who continue to hunt for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.

Ending Parkinson’s Disease

by Ray Dorsey MD, Todd Sherer PhD, Michael S. Okun MD Bastiaan R. Bloem MD PhD

The new MUST READ book about Parkinson’s Disease for everyone with Parkinson’s and their care partners.

The Ribbon of Road Ahead

by Carol Clupny

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 49, Carol was not ready to give up.  Instead, she embarked on long distance hiking trips, bike rides and more.

Living With Parkinson’s Disease

by Michael Okun MD, Irene A. Malaty MD, Wissam Deeb MD

Dr. Michael S. Okun, a leading expert in Parkinson’s Disease treatment. A good addition to add to your PD library.

No Time Like the Future

by Michael J. Fox

An instant New York Times best seller, this moving account of resilience, hope, fear and mortality, and how these things resonate in our lives, by actor and advocate Michael J. Fox.

Man’s Search for Meaning

by Viktor E Frankl

A book for finding purpose and strength in times of great despair, the international best-seller is still just as relevant today as when it was first published.

Rebound

by Brian Grant and Ric Bucher

Brian Grant and Ric Bucher tell the inspiring story about Grant’s rise to fame in the NBA and his battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Not Just Sunglasses and Autographs

by Tommy Burke

Tommy Burke worked in Hollywood for over 30 years before being diagnosed with first Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and then Parkinson’s Disease.

Being Well With Chronic Illness

by Kat Hill & Nancy Peate

Being Well with Chronic Illness is a self-help guide for those with chronic illnesses looking to find a better path to wellness.

Natural Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease

by Dr. Laurie Mischley

Dr. Laurie Mischley is a researcher at the forefront of alternative therapies for Parkinson’s Disease. Highly recommended.

Alter Your Course: Parkinson’s – The Early Years 

by  Monique L Giroux MD , Sierra M Farris PA-C 

Parkinson’s Diva

by Maria De Leon

A fun, informative book for women with PD by Dr. Maria de Leon who was a Movement Disorders Specialist before she was diagnosed with YOPD.  Available in Spanish. Her companion book is Parkinson’s Diva: Hello, Possibilities!

A Soft Voice in a Noisy World

by Karl Robb

Karl Robb provides an assortment of tips and suggestions that have made a difference in his life and benefitted him in his personal struggle with PD. This guide shows how one man successfully navigated the medical gauntlet with the support of his wife and care partner, and found his answers, often in the unlikeliest of places.

Some of My Favorite Things

Bathtub and Shower Non-slip stickers

A fall in the shower is not a good thing. There are a lot of different non-slip stickers that will make your shower safer. Choose from whimisical patterns to transparent. From $5.99- $13.99 on Amazon.

Microwavable Heating Pad

Microwavable Heating Pad, Rice Bag, Rice Heating Pad, Cold Pack, Heat Pack, Daisy, Rainbow or Botanical, Handmade Gift, 2 Sizes image 1

For everything that aches!

Microwavable Heating Pad, Rice Bag, Rice Heating Pad, Cold Pack, Heat Pack, Daisy, Rainbow or Botanical, Handmade Gift, 2 Sizes Price:$16.95+

Lauren’s Hope Medical ID Bracelets

These stylish bracelets are engraved with your important medical information.

Vim & Vigr Compression Socks

For comfort when flying, I recommend these. They come in fun colors and different levels of compression.

$25.99

Back to Sleep

This was recommended by a doctor for those nights when you can’t get back to sleep. Only 1 mg melatonin so you don’t wake up with a melatonin headache!

Air Tags

A must have if you travel.

Also great for tracking anything you have a habit of losing, like your keys!

ACTIVATOR™ Poles from Urban Poling

These poles were designed by an occupational therapist & gerontologist specifically for rehab and long-term conditions.

$126.50

Trail Buddy Poles

$31.99

Evolution Cards

Kristie Scott (a Twitchy Woman mentor) shares with you her 53 whimsical and color charged evolution cards for your self-growth and pleasure. 

$11.99

23andMe Ancestry + Traits

This at-home DNA test kit with access to 80+ personalized reports estimates your ancestry to the 0.1% across 2000+ geographic regions..

$99.00

Twitchy Woman is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates and Urban Poling Associates programs and may earn compensation through links on this page.

Favorite Apps

My Moves Matter

My Moves Matter Digital Self-Care Companion helps you unlock the power of knowing what works for you so you can live your best life with Parkinson’s.

Pro-PD

From Laurie Mischley, ND. A fast, easy way to track patient reported outcomes associated with PD

StrivePD

StrivePD is a free iOS disease management application — FDA-cleared on the Apple Watch — that bpassively collects daily resting tremor and dyskinesia data via Apple’s Movement Disorder API. Explore interactive charts to track your symptoms over time and understand how medications and physical activity impact you.

I’m Sharon

Welcome to Twitchy Woman.

I started Twitchy Woman as a way to exchange ideas and solutions with other whose lives have been affected. It has been recognized by Everyday Health, Healthline, Stanford University and more as one of the top Parkinson’s blogs to follow. Each month I host a free Zoom webinar exclusively for other “Twitchy Women” with Parkinson’s Disease.

Feel free to explore the site – there are goodies on every page to help you live your best life with Parkinson’s Disease.


Twitchy Woman named to Top 35 Parkinson Influencer list

Thank you Feedspot for recognizing Twitchy Woman on this new list. Check it out here. Twitchy Woman is #29.


Twitchy Woman on Talkradio

KVOI TALKRADIO, TUSCON

Sharon was interviewed by Kathleen Winn about Parkinson’s Advocacy on Friday, January 10


Let’s connect



Sunday Mornings with Twitchy Woman

All meetings are at 1:00 PM ET, 10:00 AM PT


Sunday, March 23, 2025

Starting the Conversation: Sexuality and Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease can affect intimacy and sexuality in several challenging ways. At the same time, it is a hard topic for many people to discuss, both with health care providers and even significant others. Join us and learn about the urologic, neurologic and psychosocial elements of these difficulties, ways to communicate about these topics, and strategies to overcome them. 

With Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD

Register here

This program is for women with PD only


Clinical Trials Corner

As we near the end of 2024, I thought it would a good time to share a variety of exercise related research trials for those of you with New Year’s Resolutions! Hopefully, these will start in time to help start 2025 off with new exercise challenges! These are the current ones in the United States that are recruiting. There are several more that will be recruiting soon, hopefully.

Read more here


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Item of the Week

Jukestir® Only Punching Bag with Dynamic Motion. Better Footwork Than Double End Bag, Speed Bag. More Agility Than Heavy Bag. Boxing MMA Equipment. Great Workout for Adult or Teen. Used by Pros.

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