Israeli Journalist Neri Livneh Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis After Health Decline

Neri Livneh, a 73-year-old Israeli journalist, publicly disclosed her battle with Parkinson’s disease in a weekly column for Haaretz. She described the gradual deterioration of her health, the medical tests she underwent, and the moment she was diagnosed. Livneh recounted how losing and then recovering her wallet, which contained her Parkinson’s association membership card, prompted her to reveal her condition.

Livneh detailed symptoms including extreme fatigue, loss of her keen sense of smell, slowed movement, and a weak voice, which emerged two years after she quit heavy smoking. Despite family concerns and her own denial, she eventually sought neurological evaluation after persistent symptoms and pressure from her son and brother. The neurologist confirmed Parkinson’s and prescribed dopamine treatment, which immediately improved her mobility.

She admitted feeling shame and failure upon diagnosis, fearing pity and stigma, but later met other Parkinson’s patients who challenged her stereotypes about the disease. Livneh also revealed a recent fall in Berlin that resulted in a broken shoulder, attributing the accident to Parkinson’s-related symptoms. She concluded by stating that after years of writing honestly, she felt it was time to "come out" about her illness, calling Parkinson’s "a very unhappy holiday."

Livneh’s openness aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma around Parkinson’s, sharing her personal journey from denial to acceptance.