Parkinson's Patient: Woodcarver Regains Steady Hands

Bill Daggett, a woodcarver from Arizona, underwent deep brain stimulation surgery to treat the tremors caused by his Parkinson's disease. The procedure involved the implantation of a device that sends electrical pulses to the brain to stabilize movement. Daggett had previously relied on medication, but the treatment was no longer sufficient to control his symptoms.

The diagnosis for Daggett began when a doctor observed his shaking at an art show. The physician urged him to seek a medical evaluation, which confirmed the presence of Parkinson's disease. Daggett described the early stages of the condition as isolating and difficult. "I couldn't even eat, hardly. I was shaking so bad, and I didn't want to go out anymore. That's part of the depression. You don't want to be seen when you can't hold a fork and get it to your mouth," he said.

Sam Cradduck, a gerontologist and host of the show "Aging Untold," explained the mechanics of the surgery. He compared the implanted device to a pacemaker, noting that it helps the brain reset and regulate electrical signals. "What they did was basically give his brain a pacemaker. You know, we're kind of accustomed to the thought of a pacemaker helping a heart keep rhythm. But this is a new way to go in and help that brain reset and send those electrical pulses out to give the brain the pacemaker to now reduce those tremors, reduce some of the side effects of the disease and the progression of it," Cradduck said.

Cradduck emphasized the impact of the procedure on the patient's emotional well-being. He stated that the therapy represents a major improvement for individuals who have lived with the disease for years. "We talk about the physical aspects of disease and aging all the time, but we forget to talk about the emotional loss, and that's where this guy was at. He was so connected with being the artist and being able to create, and the disease was robbing him of that. We see that it's robbing him of physical abilities maybe to eat, but we forget that it's robbing him of a piece of himself," Cradduck said.

Daggett now has steady hands while working on his woodcarvings. The surgery allowed him to return to the craft he loved decades ago. The program featuring this story is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Viewers are advised to consult a licensed physician for personal health concerns.