Parkinson’s Disease Myth #1

Parkinson’s is a disease of the elderly.

If this myth were a reality, my pharmacy shopping basket would not include a Mirapex prescription alongside tampons and No. 2 pencils.

If this myth were a reality, there would be more gray hair among the students in my yoga classes. Conversations would be filled with tales of retirement rather than of the challenges of balancing career and family with a chronic disease.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Roughly 10 – 20 percent of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are under age 50, and about half of those are diagnosed before age 40.”

If this reality were to become as prevalent as the myth, there would be more people willing to participate in studies. Or more who wish to learn about the phases and process of research trials.

Here’s hoping that a cure becomes reality. Maybe it’ll even happen before I’m old enough to be a grandmother.