Share to ClassroomCarly Simon Tells People About Parkinson's
The American singer Carly Simon has Parkinson's disease. She told people about it on Monday. Simon is 83 years old. Parkinson's is a brain illness that makes it hard to move. Simon said she needed time to understand her illness.
First, Simon had pain in her hip and knees. Doctors gave her new joints. But she still could not walk well. Then doctors found Parkinson's. The illness starts when the brain loses a chemical called dopamine. People with Parkinson's often shake. Their muscles feel stiff, and they move slowly.
There is no cure for Parkinson's. But medicine can help people feel better. Simon takes medicine for her stiff muscles. She also made a new album. She said music helped her a lot. Simon moves slowly now. But she wants people to know she is still here.
