Singer Carly Simon Learning How to Navigate Life with Parkinson’s Disease
Sandego.net – Singer Carly Simon learning how to live with a new chapter in her life has become her daily reality. The legendary musician recently revealed her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis alongside news of skin cancer treatment, sharing her journey with fans through a heartfelt statement provided to The Associated Press. “So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing,” Simon explained. “The truth is, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease,” the singer’s statement on Monday read.
From Hip and Knee Surgery to a Parkinson’s Diagnosis
The 83-year-old singer had initially attributed her declining mobility to arthritis affecting one hip and both knees, which led to replacement surgeries for all three joints. Despite these procedures, her condition continued to worsen. At times, she said, she could not walk without “considerable help.” “My family and I knew that something more was going on,” she recalled.
After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, the diagnosis became clear. “After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s,” she said. “It has taken me some time to understand the diagnosis, to adjust to it, and to decide how much I wanted to say about it publicly,” she explained. “Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable.”
“Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all. On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work, and feel like myself.”
Parkinson’s is a neurologic disease that robs people of control over their movements. It typically starts with tremors and is characterized by slow movement, a shuffling gait, stiff limbs, balance problems and slurred speech. About 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, and 10 million people worldwide, the Parkinson’s Foundation estimates. It usually appears after age 60, though it sometimes develops before age 50. The exact cause isn’t known, but Parkinson’s develops when cells that produce one of the brain’s chemical messengers — dopamine — begin to deteriorate and die.
Music as Medicine: Singer Carly Simon Learning How to Create Again
There is no cure, but there are treatments including medications that affect dopamine levels and a surgically implanted tremor-blocking device. Patients also can benefit from physical and occupational therapy. “I began treatment, including taking medication to help with stiffness and other symptoms,” Simon said.
“There is no tidy or predictable schedule to the illness. It does not consult my calendar before deciding what kind of day I am going to have.” She also shared that she was treated for basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, on her face at the same time. She had surgery, and the cancer was removed, “but the surgery affected my appearance and made me more self-conscious about being seen in public,” she said.
She said music has been a salve, and on Aug. 14, she will release “Comes in Waves,” her first album of original songs since 2008. “Working on the music gave shape to days that did not always have much shape. It gave me somewhere to go without having to leave the room,” she continued. “It reminded me that illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Singer Carly Simon’s Health Journey
What is singer Carly Simon learning how to manage? Singer Carly Simon learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition that affects movement. She is also adjusting to life after skin cancer treatment.
When will Carly Simon’s new album be released? Her album “Comes in Waves” will be released on August 14, marking her first collection of original songs since 2008.
How common is Parkinson’s disease? According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, approximately 1 million Americans and 10 million people worldwide live with Parkinson’s disease.
What treatments does singer Carly Simon use for her symptoms? Simon began treatment including medication to help with stiffness and other Parkinson’s symptoms, along with physical and occupational therapy.
