12 Bringing health care news to your home Life can be challenging for a person living with Parkinson’s disease. Carroll McPhillips of Columbus is no stranger to these challenges. The first symptom he noticed was drooling, and after a few visits, doctors confirmed he had Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive motor disease that can cause difficulty with walking, balance, stability, speech, vision, handwriting, muscle stiffness, voice quality, swallowing and eating. Patients with Parkinson’s thrive best when they maintain an active and positive lifestyle. As a patient with Rehab Services at the Wellness Center, McPhillips works with an excellent support team, including speech, physical and occupational therapists. “We must keep moving, as there is no cure for this disease,” McPhillips said. “Along with my therapy, I also participate in the boxing class, which makes me feel good. Even though I am out of shape, it helps my breathing and movement after I finish.” Columbus Community Hospital recently started a new movement disorder clinic with Nebraska Medicine physician Dr. Erin Smith, a neurologist and movement disorders specialist. It brings together experts from many care areas who specialize in diagnosing, managing and treating people with movement disorders — specifically, Parkinson’s disease. After a referral, McPhillips met with Smith during the clinic. “The clinic was very well organized,” said McPhillips. “Dr. Smith was very get moving with new movement disorder clinic Locals with Parkinson’s
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