Parkinson’s Won’t Steal My Joy: Meet Author Carolyn Holland
Parkinson’s disease is a relentless, degenerative brain condition that disrupts movement, balance, and overall quality of life. It creeps in quietly, shaking up the nervous system and forcing those diagnosed to adapt in ways they never expected. While there’s no cure, treatments exist to help manage symptoms, allowing people to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
World Parkinson’s Day, recognized on April 11, 2025, is a moment to shed light on the challenges faced by those living with the disease. It’s a time for awareness, advocacy, and action. Organizations like The Michael J. Fox Foundation use this day to rally support for research, pushing for breakthroughs that could change the future of Parkinson’s care. Donations and participation in events can make a real difference in advancing science and improving lives.
At its core, Parkinson’s disease is a breakdown in brain chemistry. The basal ganglia, a critical area of the brain, deteriorates over time, leading to a shortage of dopamine—the neurotransmitter that keeps movements smooth and controlled. Without enough dopamine, simple actions become difficult, tremors set in, and mobility slows. As the disease progresses, cognitive changes and emotional struggles like depression can emerge, making everyday life even more complex.
For those living with Parkinson’s, every day is a test of patience and resilience. Carolyn Holland, an author and advocate, shares her personal experience with the condition, offering an unfiltered look at what it means to wake up each morning knowing Parkinson’s is along for the ride.
“I am thankful, grateful, and blessed for the gift of each new day. This morning, for some odd reason, I woke up feeling out of sorts, and I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out why.
I wasn’t sick. I wasn’t in pain. And yet, I was caught in what we Black folks so often call that “some kind of way” feeling—the unease that sits in your chest like a warning, as if you’re waiting for something bad to happen.
So, I did what I always do. I asked the universe to reveal whatever it needed me to know. Then, I handed it over to the Divine Creator and my heavenly family and went about my day. The answer I was looking for came as soon as I logged on to my firm computer.
February 28. Two or three years ago—honestly, I can’t recall exactly—I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I still remember coming home from the neurologist’s office that day, completely dazed, with no clue what my future would look like. I told my immediate family, called my bestie, took the prescription, and climbed into bed at 11 a.m. to let myself wallow.
Ten hours later, I woke up feeling different. Renewed. Optimistic. Determined to live a good life.
Happy anniversary, Parker. I may have you, but you will never have me.”
Carolyn’s words serve as a powerful reminder that Parkinson’s may take many things, but it cannot take away the will to fight, to find joy, and to live fully. This World Parkinson’s Day, take a moment to learn, donate, and stand with those facing this disease. Every bit of awareness and research support brings us closer to a world where Parkinson’s no longer holds power over lives.
In 2005, the tulip was adopted as the official symbol of Parkinson’s at the 9th World Parkinson’s Disease Day Conference in Luxembourg. However, the flower had been informally associated with the disease for more than 20 years prior to that.
More About Author Carolyn Holland
Carolyn Holland is a bibliophile. She purchased Rosemary Roger’s Sweet Savage Love in 1974 and fell in love with the main characters, Steve Morgan and Ginnie Brandon. The storyline was raw, violent, and sensual while maintaining historical integrity. From that day forward, she was hooked on historical romance. She is a hopeless romantic. Please don’t judge her!
The historical romance genre took off like a rocket, giving female writers the autonomy to write true-to-life eroticism with a backdrop of historical fact. To date, the genre has minimal representation from people of color. Carolyn was determined to change that by writing books for and about people of color which appeal to male and female readers.
When the late L.A. Banks took her readers to heaven and hell in her Vampire Huntress Legend series, garnering cross-over appeal with her main characters, Damali (the Neteru) and Jose (a Vampire), a germ of an idea began to grow. Carolyn was not ready to act upon it until she came across The Book of Enoch and the Watcher Angels, who were beguiled by the loveliness of earthly women and begat children with them Nephilim. The rest, as they say, is history!
Carolyn is interested in anything relating to the spirit world, classic eroticism, and the day-to-day trials and triumphs of melanated people. Her enthrallment with literature began while studying for her B.A. in Philosophy at West Virginia State University. Her fascination with the spirit world stems from her southern mother, her Caribbean father, and a host of “intuitive” family members, who often see, hear, or dream about things before they occur. As to her affinity for erotica? She’s a Scorpio! What do you expect?
Carolyn has a weakness for wide-brimmed hats, stilettos, hard-to-find books, music, friendly people, and a good bottle of cabernet. She loves to travel, cook, and spend time with family and friends. Carolyn resides on the U.S. East Coast with her spirit guides and her cast of otherworldly fictional characters.
The Orun and Aye (Heaven and Earth) series of The Brothers of the Dark Veil novels will consist of the following titles featuring my preternatural cast of characters:
Behind the Dark Veil
The Bliss of the Grave
Keeper of the Souls
Soul Contract
When Darkness Comes
A Love Supreme
Inside the Realm of Awe
You can find all of Carolyn Holland books by scanning the QR code to go to Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/stores/Carolyn-Holland/author/B00XDK98AM
Are you interested in connecting with Carolyn? Here’s how you can do it. Visit her website at http://www.carolynhollandwrites.com or you can email her at carolynhollandbooks@gmail.com