"My Degeneration" My book About Coping With Parkinson's Disease is Now Available

My advance copy of "My Degeneration"

Finally, after what seems like, and actually was years in the making, The Penn State University Press has released my "graphic narrative" of what it's like to be forced to deal with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease. What's more, you can order it at a sale price right now. I hope that this book will be a comfort and inspiration to my fellow people with Parkinson's. And I hope it will be a provocation to consider how best to respond to this indefatigable disease that affects all parts of life as well.

So please read it and let me know what you think. Otherwise I'll be forced to rely on the words of people like Bill Bell, co-founder of the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, who was kind enough to write “Peter Dunlap-Shohl once again brings his unique art to the table to help educate, illustrate, and demonstrate life, hope, and strength on his journey with Parkinson’s. Creative and insightful, this book reflects all of Pete’s greatest qualities, including his constant work to help and educate all those in the PD community, patients and care partners alike.” Or Tom Kizzia, Author of the riveting "Pilgrim's Wilderness" who had this to say “The world made fresh by a Parkinson’s patient with a wonderfully sensitive and cocked eye. He tells the tale of his fast-changing reality with compassion and wicked humor, leaping from one crazily inventive work of art to the next. Never more acute than when examining his own mind-set, Peter Dunlap-Shohl leads us from diagnosis and despair to the high ground where he could compose this lucid, moving book. A miracle, in a way—and a triumph.” Heck, you could read this book for the blurbs alone!

As far as I can tell, this is the only book of its kind on Parkinson's available in the known universe. Here is a sample page from the second chapter "Learning to speak Parkinson's "

Book News, Advance Copies of "My Degeneration" Surface

It's almost here! The first advance copies of my book chronicling my effort to deal with Young Onset Parkinson arrived yesterday at my publisher's office at Penn State University. Below, is a photo giving a bit of the flavor of the book. It should be available in early November. Information on ordering here

Anchorage Parkinson's Disease Happenings for January

Hi friends, it's January, the start of a brand new year (wild cheering, thunderous applause) with PARKINSON'S DISEASE (furious booing, nasty profanity). What are we going to do about it? Well, there is the continuing telehealth series, for one. The next telehealth broadcast is set for Monday January 13 at 1:00 pm in room 2401 of the Providence oncology wing on Piper St.  Go to the second floor, walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at the end of the hall on your right. This time the broadcast will feature Ian Riley, owner of fitness chain Oz Fitness. He will talk about being diagnosed in his early forties, how he copes and manages a demanding business nine years into his diagnosis. Ian likes questions and you are urged to send them in advance in care of Cyndi via center@spokaneparkinson's.org

As is our custom, the regular group meeting will be Saturday, January 18 at the Pioneer Home. You will recall that I recently uttered a pitiful "No mas" to continuing as head of this group, and asked if anyone out there in PD land would be willing to step up and assume the position. Happily, while nobody wanted to be the grand Poohbah of Northern Parkies, several  brave souls volunteered to take some of the load off me. So I will come with a list of things that I do to keep things rolling, and we'll see about who would like to take some of the different chores. Sally Spieker has volunteered to be in charge of getting guests in to talk to us. And the Rineharts have offered to help, too. For which I am deeply grateful. This will also provide a good opportunity to  discuss what you want or need from the group, and how to advance  in a fruitful direction for 2014.

Your ceremonial Head,

Peter