Carly Simon reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis, and shares emotional journey of resilience and hope
“So many people have written to me, kindly wondering
about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing. The truth is …”
Singer-songwriter Carly Simon has revealed that she has been living with Parkinson’s disease, ending years of public silence with a deeply personal message about resilience, uncertainty and finding purpose through music.
The 83-year-old music icon shared that she chose to speak publicly only after taking time to understand her diagnosis and adjust to life with the progressive neurological disorder.
“The truth is, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease.”
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain’s ability to control movement. As nerve cells that produce dopamine gradually deteriorate, people may experience tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement, balance problems and difficulty walking. Many also live with non-movement symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances and apathy. While there is currently no cure, medications, therapy and other treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Simon said her health struggles initially appeared to be related to arthritis. After replacing both knees and one hip, she believed her ongoing difficulty walking was simply part of a lengthy recovery. Instead, her mobility continued to decline, leaving her unable to stand from chairs without assistance and, at times, unable to walk without considerable help.
Following an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and began treatment to ease stiffness and other symptoms.
“It has taken me some time to understand the diagnosis, to adjust to it, and to decide how much I wanted to say about it publicly,” Simon wrote. “Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable.”
She described living with a disease that refuses to follow any schedule.
“There is no tidy or predictable schedule to the illness. It does not consult my calendar before deciding what kind of day I am going to have,” she said.
Among the most difficult aspects has been the emotional toll of Parkinson’s, particularly the apathy that can accompany the disease.
“It is not simply sadness or laziness,” Simon explained. “It is as though the part of the brain that sends out invitations to participate in life has temporarily misplaced the guest list.”
During the same period, Simon also underwent treatment for basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, on her face. Although doctors successfully removed the cancer, she said the surgery affected her appearance and left her feeling self-conscious, contributing to her decision to withdraw from public life while focusing on her recovery.
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Despite those challenges, Simon never stopped creating. She revealed that recording her upcoming album, Comes in Waves, became a lifeline during some of her most difficult days.
“Working on the music gave shape to days that did not always have much shape,” she said. “It gave me somewhere to go without having to leave the room. It reminded me that illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life.”
Simon also reflected honestly on the emotional reality of Parkinson’s, rejecting any suggestion that the disease carries hidden blessings.
“I do not consider Parkinson’s a gift or a blessing. It is neither,” she said. “It is difficult, frustrating, and sometimes frightening. I am still learning how to live with it and how to accept it without feeling that I have surrendered something essential.”
She ended her statement with a message that resonated with fans who have wondered about her absence from the spotlight.
“These days I move more slowly, I lean on others more than I once did, and I have learned to accept that every day will look a little different,” Simon said. “But I am still very much here.”
A native of New York City, Simon has been one of popular music’s most celebrated singer-songwriters for more than five decades. She rose to international fame with classics including “You’re So Vain,” “Nobody Does It Better,” and “Let the River Run,” earning Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and a lasting place in American music history. She is also a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee whose songwriting has inspired generations of artists.
Looking ahead, Simon plans to continue sharing her music with fans. Her first original studio album in 18 years, Comes in Waves, is scheduled for release on Aug. 14. The project stands as a testament to her determination to keep creating despite the physical and emotional challenges of Parkinson’s disease.
For Simon, the future may look different than she once imagined, but her message is one of perseverance: illness may change the rhythm of life, yet it does not have to define it.
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(Sources: ABC News, People, New York Times)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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