How does one deal with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at the age of forty-three? My Degeneration, by former Anchorage Daily News staff cartoonist Peter Dunlap-Shohl, answers the question with humor and passion, recounting the author’s attempt to come to grips with the “malicious whimsy” of this chronic, progressive, and disabling disease. This graphic novel tracks Dunlap-Shohl’s journey through depression, the worsening symptoms of the disease, the juggling of medications and their side effects, the impact on relations with family and community, and the raft of mental and physical changes wrought by the malady. My Degeneration examines the current state of Parkinson’s care, including doctor/patient relations and the repercussions of a disease that, among other things, impairs movement, can rob patients of their ability to speak or write, degrades sufferers’ ability to deal with complexity, and interferes with the sense of balance. Readers learn what it’s like to undergo a dramatic, demanding, and audacious bit of high-tech brain surgery that can mysteriously restore much of a patient’s control over symptoms. But My Degeneration is more than a Parkinson’s memoir. Dunlap-Shohl gives the person newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease the information necessary to cope with it on a day-to-day basis. He chronicles the changes that life with the disease can bring to the way one sees the world and the way one is seen by the wider community. Dunlap-Shohl imparts a realistic basis for hope—hope not only to carry on, but to enjoy a decent quality of life.

I have had Parkinson's disease (PD) for twenty-two years. I am told I have a mild case, but it is still my PD and I live with it 24/7. I would be a gross understatement to say my life was changed forever. Interesting, many of these changes have made me a more compassionate, empathetic, and caring person. In part, this book was motivated by the following premise: Many of us will experience a life-changing event that will cause us to pause and reassess where we are, what we do, and why we do it. For some, it might be the death of a loved one or a personal tragedy. Or it might be a re-awakening-that aha moment. For me, it was January 2, 1995, when my neurologist said, "Mr. Spekman, I have some bad news for you-you have Parkinson's." My life as it knew it crumpled around me. I could have wallowed in self-pity, but I am a fighter and chose eventually to manage my PD. I have adopted a number of Eastern non-traditional approached to deal with my PD. I have a yoga practice, meditate daily, and engage in massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments. All these different approaches complement my medication, and all contribute to my being very healthy, given the length of time I have had Parkinson's. I will take you on a journey, my journey, starting with denial to depression to, finally, acceptance. This book is more than the story of one man's journey with PD; it is a story of hope and personal transformation. If you permit me, I am going to take you on a journey that began over two decades ago. I have years to travel so do not ask where the destination is or ask if we are there yet. During the course of this book, I will share with you aspects of my life that were previously know to only a small number of people. It is through this intimacy that you will come to better understand and hopefully better deal with adversity that might affect your life.

It was a student's observation about Dr. Case Boot's small writing on the chalk board that first made him aware of his Parkinson's symptoms. Since being diagnosed, Professor of Linguistics Emeritus at Dordt College Dr. Case Boot has learned to walk the journey of Parkinson's and is now sharing his experiences in his new book, Sharing the Road. "My intent with this book is to help others by sharing the story of God's faithfulness to me, to provide information about Parkinson's and how to live with it positively, and to encourage family and friends and those who have Parkinson's disease. This book is my way of responding to the Lord's call to serve Him and others," said Boot in the book's introduction. The book details the symptoms of the disease and shares several treatment options that are available. Boot also explains some of the unusual behaviors of people with the disease and helps readers think about how they should respond. In addition, Boot is honest about the difficulties of coming to terms with the disease. "Parkinson's is not a death sentence but an invitation and a challenge to a new and unfamiliar lifestyle," he says.

Culturally powerful ideas of normalcy and deviation, individual responsibility, and what is medically feasible shape the ways in which we live with illness and disability. The essays in this volume show how illness narratives expressed in a variety of forms—biographical essays, fictional texts, cartoons, graphic novels, and comics—reflect on and grapple with the fact that these human experiences are socially embedded and culturally shaped. Works of fiction addressing the impact of an illness or disability; autobiographies and memoirs exploring an experience of medical treatment; and comics that portray illness or disability from the perspective of patient, family member, or caregiver: all of these narratives forge a specific aesthetic in order to communicate their understanding of the human condition. This collection demonstrates what can emerge when scholars and artists interested in fiction, life-writing, and comics collaborate to explore how various media portray illness, medical treatment, and disability. Rather than stopping at the limits of genre or medium, the essays talk across fields, exploring together how works in these different forms craft narratives and aesthetics to negotiate contention and build community around those experiences and to discover how the knowledge and experiences of illness and disability circulate within the realms of medicine, art, the personal, and the cultural. Ultimately, they demonstrate a common purpose: to examine the ways comics and literary texts build an audience and galvanize not just empathy but also action. In addition to the editors, the contributors to this volume include Einat Avrahami, Maureen Burdock, Elizabeth J. Donaldson, Ariela Freedman, Rieke Jordan, stef lenk, Leah Misemer, Tahneer Oksman, Nina Schmidt, and Helen Spandler. Chapter 7, “Crafting Psychiatric Contention Through Single-Panel Cartoons,” by Helen Spandler, is available as Open Access courtesy of a grant from the Wellcome Trust. A link to the OA version of this chapter is forthcoming.

At age forty-eight, my life changed dramatically when I received my diagnosis of early onset Parkinson's disease. How could this be possible? I'm not an old man! This diagnosis has placed me at the starting line of a difficult journey. Looking back at the first five years of my Parkinson's life, I can see a bit more clearly now how this all came together. I have learned about the disease, but I have also, more importantly, learned from the disease. This book is my story of how my diagnosis was reached and how I started on my Parkinson's journey. I have learned many lessons along the way, and I have passed along my most important discoveries in this book. It is my hope that those who read it will get a better perspective of the daily life of a Parkinson's patient as well as see that successes can be reached along the way. Enjoy the journey!

Parkinson's Disease and Me: Walking the Path 2nd Edition was originally published in 2003. Many changes have occurred since then, and I have changed as a person and as a writer. I revised this book and added five new chapters in June 2012. I also made changes/additions to the original book. The book takes you on my journey before I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease almost twenty years ago. It was obvious something was wrong, but Parkinson's disease? That was not on anyone's radar screen. The book continues with my diagnosis and adjustment (actually, at first it was nonadjustment). I have found Parkinson's disease (PD) does not make one immune to the vagaries of life. A personal tragedy is included in the book. I found it could not be left out because of the profound manner in which it affected me. However, I stick to my belief of one's right to privacy and only give the pertinent points. Readers may feel some of the material in this book is dated. However, that material is best categorized as historical. We cannot successfully move forward unless we know and learn from where we have been.

Parkinson's is becoming more and more prevalent as our society ages. If you are on the Parkinson's journey, join Caryn and her mother as they venture through this challenge together. Caryn offers a heart-warming look into her mother's life and the events they encountered. What does she need to do now that her mother has received the Parkinson's diagnosis? What does the family need to do? You'll be able to pack your suitcase with lots of information on where to go from here, how to meet life's immediate needs, and plan for the future. Whether you are dealing with Parkinson's or aging parents, this book will be your personal tour guide.