by Patricia Lightner (Author)
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.