Hello, lovelies. For the next while, I am running this mini-series An A-Z of Parkinson’s.

• Carers

People who provide unpaid care by looking after someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill.

Those that have to deal with all our shit but that we often don’t believe are dealing with it sufficiently. Solved with appreciation.

• Charity (see volunteer)

An organisation set up to aid those in need.

Replacing that which governments fail to provide. Frequently successful at ripping you off and the person you are supposed to be helping simlutaneously.

• Chewing (see Autonomic)

Classically better when the mouth is closed. In Parkinson’s, frequently results in choking, drooling and spraying everything in the vicinity.

Cured by drinking wine through a straw.*

(* Not medically approved )

• Cognitive Impairment/Dysfunction

Another non-motor gift of Parkinson’s.

Taken for granted until you don’t possess it and then it’s …umm… strawberry.

• Cogwheel (see diagnosis)

Cogwheeling is peculiar to Parkinson's disease. When a limb is bent, it seems to catch at regular points throughout its range of motion, much as a second-hand jerks from interval to interval instead of smoothly traversing the face of a clock.

Not as commonly thought, botting. A popular dance move by those wishing to escape the realities of being human by becoming a robot.

• Constipation (see Autonomic)

Stagnation of the bowl, and frequently, character.

• Co-ordination (see dexterity)

The ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently. Slow in Parkinson’s, occasionally absent.

Allows PwP to become sporting officials where we can sit and judge others’ skills in coordination.

• Cure

To relieve a person of the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

As yet, unattainable.

Much is made of possible cures. Many would be happy with improved medication. In effect, being cured/persevered would be desirable.

Please send me your definitions or things you want definitions for! Let’s make this a collaborative effort ❤️