Discerning the Way: Lessons from Parkinson’s Disease

“As a ‘PwP’ (person with Parkinson’s), I found Discerning the Way both inspiring and revelatory. Allan Cole writes with precision, grace and empathy. His meditations on Parkinson’s—whether it’s getting and sharing his diagnosis, running a marathon or dealing with PD during a pandemic—provide us with a roadmap for hope, a path from darkness into light. This is a remarkable book of deeply personal stories that open a wide window into living well with Parkinson’s.”

Eric Eyre
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Death in Mud Lick: A Coal Country Fight Against the Drug Companies That Delivered the Opioid Epidemic
Person living with Parkinson’s disease

“The knowledge spectrum for a Parkinson specialist and researcher ranges from why Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor may minimize alpha-synuclein deposition, to advising patients not to talk with food in their mouth.  It is a broad scope but still interpreted and acted upon from the perspective of the physician, no matter how empathetic. This collection of insight, anecdote and inspiration from an observer so uniquely positioned reminds the health care provider that a completely different perspective exists; that hope, honesty, relationships, and humor impact chronic illness as much, or more, than medicines and surgeries.”

William G. Ondo, MD
Director, Methodist Neurological Institute Movement Disorders Clinic, Houston, Texas
Professor of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical School
Professor of Neurology, Texas A&M Medical School

“Parkinson’s is a complicated disease that affects patients, caregivers, and others deeply and in a variety of ways. Dr. Allan Cole delves into the illness with an insightful eye, one particularly focused on the experiences of young-onset patients, to share life lessons and perspectives that go beyond Parkinson’s and apply to everyone, whether they suffer from PD or another disease. Optimistic, yet not sugarcoating things, he candidly shares incredible observations and revelations with clarity and compassion.​”

Bret I. Parker
Co-Chair, Patient Council, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Executive Director of the New York City Bar Association
Person Living with Parkinson’s disease

“Dr. Allan Cole writes close to the heart in his personal story of living with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed when he was only 48. Noting that the story of each person living with Parkinson’s or any chronic illness is invariably unique, in his gentle and clear voice as educator and counselor his writing shines and inspires but never preaches. The volume is enriched as he mixes his own story with frequent quotations from other sources of wisdom, dropped like gentle pearls on each page. What does it mean when life’s uncertainties and expectations are made painfully less certain? How do you ‘recalibrate your heart?’ For those beginning their own journey through illness, as well as those who can look back at earlier paths traveled, this volume is likely to provide easily accessible comfort, perspective, and hope for joy yet to be discovered and savored. Wise readers may find themselves returning to this book more than once.”

Karen Raphael, Ph.D.
Professor, New York University
Psychologist and Epidemiologist
Person Living with Parkinson’s disease

“Allan Cole has made a major contribution to the body of Parkinson’s literature with Discerning the Way. So in tune with the nuances of managing a chronic condition, Cole’s message is clear: life is worthwhile and there is strength ‘in removing the freight of going it alone.’  His powerful and deeply personal style of storytelling draws in the reader in each essay with charm, wit, and insightfulness. His positive spin on even the most difficult issues leaves one with a renewed sense of hope. Even though this book is focused on Parkinson’s, I believe anyone dealing with a chronic disease or going through a challenging time can benefit from and feel encouraged by his wisdom.  For sure, this is an essential read for anyone with Parkinson’s.”

Nina Mosier, M.D.
Co-Founder and Director
Power for Parkinson’s

“This is a profoundly important book—deeply human, beautifully written, and at times even poetic. It describes the poignant journey of the author, deftly interwoven with other people’s stories, as he grapples with his diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease and its impact on his life and family. Allan Cole—author, philosopher, theologian, and social work educator, helps us understand the physiological and emotional daily challenges and struggles for people living with PD, at the same time as he outlines a pathway to hope and meaning, purpose and competence, healing and living well. This book will leave a lasting impact on readers, reminding us all of our frailties and our strengths, our interdependence, and the empowering effect that comes from living authentically even when dealing with loss.”

Jeanette R. Davidson, Ph.D. ACSW
Professor and Former Director
The Clara Luper Department of African and African-American Studies
University of Oklahoma

“There is a saying amongst those of us living with Parkinson’s disease and doctors that treat us that. ‘If you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s, then you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s.’  This is because each person battling this disease has different symptoms, different treatment options, different life circumstances, and is just generally affected in a personal, individual way. But every word of Allan Cole’s book resonates to the core with me, even though parts of my experience with PD are quite similar and parts are quite different. Like Cole, I am not grateful I have PD, but I am grateful for the connections I have made to the wonderful people in the PD world. As an Ob/Gyn physician, I had to stop delivering babies and doing surgery a few years ago due to my own PD symptoms, but I am thankful that I am able to continue working and seeing patients in my office, for now. I feel like I might be a better doctor now, and I have tried to better my community by sharing my experience with others and by raising every penny I can for PD research and local patient services. As Cole illustrates in the book, everyone has something in life that presents a challenge. Rising to meet the challenge, contributing to finding solutions, and living my best life is what I try to do every day. This book reminds us of these daily opportunities, and others. I highly recommend it for those with Parkinson’s, their care partners, physicians, nurses, social workers, anyone, really, who cares to know more about what living, and thriving, with Parkinson’s can look like.”

Nicole Jarvis, M.D.
Ob/Gyn Physician
Member, Patient Council, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Person Living with Parkinson’s disease

“As a young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) patient myself, I struggled in my early years living with this illness. One of the main reasons I struggled was due to there being very few resources available to me. Allan Cole’s experiences can serve the YOPD community with great impact. He provides incredible insight and perspective as a husband, father, educator, and friend living with Parkinson’s. He has also found a balance in bringing hope through honesty while not sugarcoating the challenges we all face in all aspects of our lives.”

Jimmy Choi
3-Time Contestant, American Ninja Warrior
Member, Patient Council, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Person Living with Parkinson’s disease

“Allan Cole’s beautifully written book is packed with wisdom, not only for those with chronic illness but for all of us. For me, this intimate account reads like a spiritual memoir—a profound and honest journey with human mortality in which Cole confronts and transforms an unexpected diagnosis into an occasion for learning. And we learn so much, not just about Parkinson’s but about the practice of mercy, gratitude, and resilience amid life’s many losses.”

Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore
E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture, Emerita
Vanderbilt University Divinity School