I regret having to address this topic but considering all the talk and press coverage, I feel somewhat obligated to weigh in with my experience and observations. Let’s start off with the basics of Parkinson’s Disease.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a brutal progressive neurological disease caused by a decreased level of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced naturally in a very small area of the brain called the substantia nigra. Age, brain or head trauma (Muhammed Ali), and sub-acute exposure to environmental toxins such as heavy metals or carbon monoxide have been linked to its etiology. It is an area of medicine that has gained much knowledge for treatment over the past few decades. If I was inclined to financially contribute to any research cause, it would be PD.
Parkinson’s Disease has two distinct types or features. One is the tremor that we have all seen. It usually starts in the hands and is called a “pill-rolling tremor”, imitating the motion you might make by holding coins or pills in your hand and rolling them around. It usually affects one side of the body more than the other. The other presentation of PD is known as the “rigidity” type where the patient has a stiff, tin man-like gait pattern, holds his/her arms still at their sides, and often displays a masked facial expression. The voice is affected as well by becoming softer, monotone, and harder to understand in conversation. It is of interest to note that the head shake or bobbing that you sometimes notice in someone, is not Parkinson’s Disease, but rather just a benign essential tremor.
Another very sad component of PD is the companion dementia that often is its accompaniment, albeit gradual in some cases. Research has taught us that a specific type of dementia is most commonly associated with PD. It is called Lewy Body Dementia. It is diagnosed with surety at a post-mortem autopsy by the presence of Lewy Bodies, a type of plaque that entangles the neural pathways in the brain causing confusion, disorientation, and other cognitive changes. Unfortunately, the only sure diagnosis of Parkinson’s is also the post-mortem autopsy to examine the substantia nigra cells under a microscope. However, the research I mentioned above, has led us to be able to diagnose PD with a great deal of accuracy. In addition to observation of movement patterns, speech, and memory, a litmus test is to simply administer the prescribed dosage of synthetic Dopamine, known as Levodopa/Carbidopa. Then over a short time period, assess its effectiveness in observing a reduction of physical symptoms.
The treatment plan I adhere to with Parkinson’s patients focuses on using what we call “big movements”. During exercise and gait training, we emphasize and teach the patient to exaggerate all movements with both arms and legs to train the muscles, stimulate the neurological system, and fine-tune the balance skills necessary to avoid immobility or falls. If I were to make a home visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, that is what I would prescribe and assist the patient in question in an attempt to stabilize their debility.
With all this as background, I submit to you the following questions or scenarios: You are a shareholder of a major multi-billion dollar corporation. Rumors are abounding regarding the health of the CEO of this corporation. His/her leadership is in doubt due to the symptoms described above, including prominent mental and cognitive changes in a declining tendency. How would you feel, as an investor, about the continued leadership role of that individual? Decisions rest in their lap that affect your investment, and your life.
Time travels back to 1943 when FDR, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin met in Tehran, Iran for a war conference. During the conference, the three leaders coordinated their military strategy against Germany and Japan and made a number of important decisions concerning the post-World War II era. If such a conference among allies and rivals were to be held in our current era, would you feel comfortable with the current POTUS playing a key role in that consultation? Or do you prefer someone else?
I am not advocating for either or any of the candidates in this current election cycle. That is your individual sacred decision that should not be taken lightly or based on rumors, name-calling, or vitriolic attacks that may or may not be accurate and fair. I am just laying down some thoughts to make all of us think. Despite vehemently disagreeing with policy decisions by past and present holders of the commander-in-chief office, I was raised to respect the office for its intended purpose. I will continue with that belief system regardless of a Democrat or Republican in the Oval Office. I would invite many of them to my “picnic” for the privilege of conversation. And some would be left off the guest list. Let’s consider making this a non-partisan issue. Fit to serve or not?
I would close with an urging of compassion toward any individual, private or public, with Parkinson’s Disease. I would disregard the memes, name-calling, and other verbal assaults and instead, focus on what is best for them and their remaining years. And…I would politely encourage them to do what is best for their/our country.
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