PatientsLikeMe member Bev Ribaudo (“YumaBev”) was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at age 47, but it hasn’t dampened her flair for comedy. “Humor comes naturally to me, and a little disease like Parkinson’s can’t take it away,” she says. In fact, her condition has given her a new purpose: entertaining other “Parkies” with her deep… Continue reading Spotlighted Author: Parkinson’s Humorist Bev Ribaudo on Dispensing Laughter
Category: Conditions
Living with a health condition? On the PatientsLikeMe blog, find helpful health information and patient stories about being diagnosed, trying different treatments, and living day-to-day with a chronic condition.
Art as Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
Do you have a creative outlet that helps you cope with your health condition? Here are two examples of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in our community who are expressing their emotions through painting, despite hand tremors and other challenging symptoms. (See even more PD patient artwork in this inspiring forum thread.) “Iggy the Iguana” by… Continue reading Art as Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
A Day in the Life of PatientsLikeMe Web Developer Adam Darowski
What’s it like to work at PatientsLikeMe? We are continuing to reveal just that with our monthly blog series “A Day in the Life,” which features PatientsLikeMe employees from different departments. Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Darowski, a father of three who joined the technology team as a web developer exactly three years… Continue reading A Day in the Life of PatientsLikeMe Web Developer Adam Darowski
What to Do – and Not Do – When Someone Has a Mental Health Condition
Have you ever wondered how best to interact with someone who is living with depression, bipolar disorder or another mental health condition? Have you worried that you’re saying or doing the wrong things? Last week we recognized Mental Illness Awareness Week on the blog, and to continue our coverage, today we thought we’d share with… Continue reading What to Do – and Not Do – When Someone Has a Mental Health Condition
PatientsLikeMe Featured on Bloomberg TV
On October 9th, Bloomberg TV aired a four-and-a-half minute “Innovators” segment profiling PatientsLikeMe’s journey as company. Filmed partially in our office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the piece features PatientsLikeMe Co-Founder and Chairman Jamie Heywood as well as Ed Sikov, a PatientsLikeMe member with Parkinson’s disease. Our thanks go to Bloomberg’s Nicole Lapin for her in-depth coverage… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe Featured on Bloomberg TV
Mental Illness Awareness Week 2012: Dismantling the Stigma
Did you know that one in four adults – or approximately 57.7 million Americans – experiences a mental health problem in any given year? Or that one in 17 lives with a serious, chronic mental illness? Since 1990, National Mental Illness Awareness Week has been recognized by the U.S. Congress as a time for mental… Continue reading Mental Illness Awareness Week 2012: Dismantling the Stigma
Rediscovering Life’s Simple Pleasures: An Interview with a Heart Patient
Last week, we recognized World Heart Day on the blog and discussed why there is an urgent need for awareness about heart disease and stroke, the world’s number one killer. We also talked about how heart disease can be an abstract concept until you are exposed to someone’s personal story. That’s why we are pleased… Continue reading Rediscovering Life’s Simple Pleasures: An Interview with a Heart Patient
Recognizing the Rare Disease Community’s Champions of Hope
Did you know that 1 in 10 people worldwide have rare and genetic conditions? PatientsLikeMe was a proud sponsor of the 1st Annual Tribute to Champions of Hope, organized by our partner the Global Genes / RARE Project. Held on September 27th in Newport Beach, CA, the gala recognized outstanding individuals who are working to affect… Continue reading Recognizing the Rare Disease Community’s Champions of Hope
Creating Your “A Team” for Health
Today’s guest post is written by PatientsLikeMe Vice President for Advocacy, Policy and Patient Safety Sally Okun, RN, MMHS. Getting health care can often feel like you’re trying to put together a difficult jigsaw puzzle, only to find that some of the pieces are missing. Even under the best circumstances, navigating the health care system is… Continue reading Creating Your “A Team” for Health
World Heart Day: Taking Prevention to Heart
Did your heart beat a little faster this weekend? This past Saturday was World Heart Day, sponsored by the World Heart Federation. Founded in 2000, this global event was created to educate the public about heart disease and stroke, the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year. What’s a major concern… Continue reading World Heart Day: Taking Prevention to Heart