MaryBeth Skylis

When my dad was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, he began taking levodopa in order to help to curb his symptoms. Initially, his symptoms were somewhat mild. He’d...

It’s the day before my 30th birthday when I wake to a cold Alaskan morning. It has been a dream of mine to make it to the bush, and after...

As an introvert, I find comfort in silence. I recharge my batteries from the depths of my home, where I’m commonly reading books or playing music. I think that my...

I recently felt the urge to air out my dirty laundry by writing an email to an uncle. I wanted to know how he managed to live with his disease...

Ordinarily, I find comfort in the idea that everything happens for a reason. It seems as though certain events have to take place in order to make space for other...

Last Christmas, COVID-19 concerns were higher than ever. Experts warned the nation about the harm that could come from large holiday gatherings, echoing many of the sentiments that are still...

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary so widely between patients. Although my dad's diagnosis was relatively straightforward, at the beginning, we wondered if his tremors could...

It’s a sunny summer day in northern Michigan when I walk out onto the back porch. Water bugs wiggle around the coast of Lake Ann while I sip my coffee...

As I watch my dad’s Parkinson’s progress, I’m always looking for ways to combat his symptoms. He already addresses diet, and exercise on his own. But I think that we...

"Swallowing is a big deal for Parkinson’s people," Dad explains one early morning. I know that he is hinting at one of his current challenges although he doesn’t outright say...

If you’ve gone down the rabbit hole of potential Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms, chances are that you’ve encountered dementia. The infamous dementia grabs hold of our faculties, causing changes to...

I’ve noticed that my dad takes advantage of certain household features when Parkinson’s makes his day uncertain. For example, he frequently leans on the piano while he’s making his way...

The tires of the van hit the highway’s rumbling strips, ripping at a low pitch. My dad was out of bounds again. We were on our way from the cottage...

I’m an information addict. Any time I encounter a problem, a question, or an illness, I dive into the bookshelves to see if there are any solutions. Since my Dad...

I recently woke up to a message from my dad. He wrote: "Mary Beth, you should look and see if there’s a correlation between cramping and Parkinson’s." It seems that...

I'd be lying if I told you that I don't struggle with guilt. Watching your dad cope with Parkinson's disease through a screen seems callous. When we talk on the...

When my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013, I responded with denial. I assumed that, if he really had it, his life would be snuffed out too soon. That...

When my dad signed himself up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a flood of relief washed over me. Both of my parents are in their 60s, and I limited my...

The tears streamed down my face on a late fall morning in Michigan. I’d just made it to my cousin’s house after being home for a while. And I couldn’t...

I’m scrolling through comments on a Parkinson’s forum when I read a note from a stranger. She says that she struggles with "facial masking" and she hopes that her loved...