Carly Simon Opens Up About Living With Parkinson’s Disease and Her Daily Life
Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon has given fans a heartwarming reason for her long absence from public life with her announcement that she has Parkinson’s disease. The Grammy-winning artist has been living with Parkinson’s disease, which she revealed as she also recovered from surgery to treat basal cell carcinoma, and shared an honest look at how the progressive neurological condition affects her daily routine. “Even through the hard times she has continued to write music and is preparing to release her first new album in nearly 16 years,” says Simon.
Why Carly Simon Is Speaking Out Now
Simon said she learned a lot about her diagnosis before speaking publicly about it. Learning to live with Parkinson’s disease has been a deeply personal journey, and she wanted to be ready before sharing it with fans, she said.
“Parkinson’s is different for everybody and some days are so much harder than others,” she said. She is sometimes so tired that she finds it hard to start anything, even something simple, but there are some days when she is able to write, think and enjoy creative work.
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Perhaps the most striking part of Simon’s statement was her description of the emotional side of Parkinson’s disease. She also touched on anxiety, fatigue and moments of apathy that can make normal routines feel unexpectedly difficult, beyond the challenges with mobility.
“Mobility problems were more apparent after knee and hip replacement surgeries for arthritis, she said. Yet, when her symptoms persisted, and did not improve, further medical investigations eventually resulted in a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Other Health Challenges Besides Parkinson’s
Simon also said she recently had successful surgery for basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer that affected her face, and Parkinson’s disease.
She confessed her changing looks made her wary of stepping out in public – part of why she spent years out of the limelight. But she said these health setbacks haven’t stopped her from making music or enjoying life.
Music Still Her Passion
Instead of moving away from creativity, music has remained a huge part of her life during her treatment and recovery, Simon said.
The album, Comes in Waves, is set for release August 14 and will be her first original studio album in nearly 20 years. Spending more time at home and working on unfinished songs helped to give purpose and structure to tough days, she explained.
Why Her Story is Important
Simon is making a statement by speaking out about his Parkinson’s disease, that it’s more than a movement disorder. By speaking candidly about symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety and apathy, she has helped to broaden public understanding of the everyday realities faced by many patients.
And her message is hopeful. Parkinson’s has changed some parts of her daily life, but she says she still writes, sings and stays involved in the work she loves. A diagnosis doesn’t have to end creativity or purpose, she says.
References
ABC News – Facts borrowed from Carly Simon’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s, medical evaluation, treatment and comments on everyday living.
Pitchfork – Information from her personal letter, symptoms, skin cancer surgery and upcoming album Comes in Waves.
Entertainment Weekly – Used verified information about her mobility challenges, her history of arthritis, her fatigue and her ongoing creative work.
The Guardian – Used background on Simon’s announcement and her reasons for stepping away from public life.
ITV News – Used facts about her skin cancer treatment, Parkinson’s announcement and album timeline.
