The physical characteristics of Parkinson’s Disease can interfere with a person’s ability to communicate which makes it a very isolating diagnosis. As the disease progresses, muscles and joints become tight and stiff including the muscles in the face and mouth. Production of words becomes more challenging as the person with PD has to think through each step of the process to make it happen. If you cannot communicate with other people, your world automatically becomes smaller and closed off.

We have discovered ways to fight this problem. When we are out with other people, I try to make sure that my husband is included in any conversations by turning to him and asking his thoughts or redirecting to something he has done or said lately. We avoid large groups because of the noise and distractions and instead try to focus on fewer people and one conversation at a time. I also do my best to give him the space and time to respond because while his internal processes may have slowed, his cognition and wit haven’t. He has the words, he just can’t always get them to come out in a timely manner. By the time he is able to speak, the conversation has moved on to a new subject and, instead of participating, he becomes an observer.

On the rare occasions when I need to be his voice, we both understand that it’s okay. Those are normally times when he is tired and he will look to me to step in to provide the volume and intensity he has lost. Throughout it all, I remember that if we can control the pace so everyone can take a moment, take a breath, and give him time to engage, the conversation is always enriched by what he has to share.