Communication for people with Parkinson’s can have its challenges. Hearing loss, masked expressions and soft voices can make things difficult. Our recent rules of 6-foot social distancing and wearing masks only compound the problem. At a recent venture to the grocery store, I realized how difficult it was to communicate in my usual way. I no longer knew what someone meant when they stopped and nodded to me. I couldn’t see their whole face. Were they pausing to let me go in front of them? Were they warning me not to get too close? Were they smiling or grimacing? Likewise, others couldn’t see my facial expressions. Here are some things to keep in mind and maybe help you communicate more easily. Did you know that 70% of communication is non-verbal? This includes body movement and orientation, hand gestures, vocal intonation, eye contact and facial expressions. All of this is more difficult to interpret from a distance and f...
My Journey with Parkinson's