Carly Simon reveals Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The You’re So Vain hitmaker, 83, revealed her battle with the progressive, incurable neurological condition in an emotional statement to People on Monday – in which she opened up about her debilitating symptoms.

Simon, who has spent seven years out of the spotlight, also announced that she underwent treatment for basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer,  after her Parkinson’s diagnosis – with the resulting facial surgery leaving her ‘self-conscious’ about appearing in public.

One of the musician’s last public appearances was in October 2019 at SiriusXM and her last public performance was in March 2018. 

She said, ‘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, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease.

‘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. Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable. Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all. On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work, and feel like myself.

Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease – pictured 2012

The music icon, 83, who is best known for her 1972 hit, You’re So Vain, revealed her battle with the degenerative disease in a statement to People on Monday – in which she opened up about her debilitating symptoms – pictured 1975

‘The problems began with arthritis in both knees and one hip. I eventually had all three joints replaced, out with the old and in with delicate bouquets of metal and plastic. After three replacement surgeries, I ᴀssumed my difficulty walking was simply an unfortunate and rather ironic part of the recovery process.

‘But my mobility continued to worsen. I had trouble standing up from low chairs and deep couches without someone offering me an arm. Overstuffed furniture became my enemy. Once seated, I could feel as though I had been swallowed by the chair and might remain there permanently, like a guest who had badly overstayed her welcome.’

Carly Simon honors the ‘incredible lives’ of late sisters Lucy and Joanna who pᴀssed away from cancer just one day apart

Parkinson’s causes muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, tremors, sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, an impaired quality of life and can lead to severe disability. 

‘Eventually, there were periods when I could not walk without considerable help. My family and I knew that something more was going on. After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

‘I began treatment, including taking medication to help with stiffness and other symptoms. 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.

‘Parkinson’s is usually ᴀssociated with movement, tremors, and balance, but it can affect much more than the body. It can bring anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and apathy. The apathy is particularly strange. You can find yourself lying there like a starfish drying in the sun, arms pointing in all directions, while nothing inside is telling you to get up, read, watch, write, sing, call someone, or do much of anything at all.

‘That has been one of the hardest things to explain. It is not simply sadness or laziness. It is as though the part of the brain that sends out invitations to participate in life has temporarily misplaced the guest list.’

Simon, who has spent seven years out of the spotlight, also announced that she underwent treatment for basal cell carcinoma after her Parkinson’s diagnosis – leaving her feeling ‘self-conscious’ about going out in public – pictured 1971

She said, ‘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, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease’ – pictured 1980s

Simon detailed how she was then diagnosed with cancer – leading to surgery – which left her feeling self-conscious about being seen in public. 

She wrote, ‘During this same period, I was also treated for basal cell carcinoma on my face. The cancer was removed, but the surgery affected my appearance and made me more self-conscious about being seen in public. 

‘I have always been more critical of my appearance than anyone else could possibly imagine (check out the irony of having written “You’re So Vain.”), and this gave my inner critic quite a lot of new material.

‘Between my mobility issues, the Parkinson’s diagnosis, the surgery, and the emotional effects of it all, withdrawing from public view was the most palatable reaction. If a person is allowed to hibernate during both winter and summer, then I have become an all-season bear.

  ‘But I have not stopped living, and I have not stopped working.

‘In the middle of all this, I began recording a new album, Comes in Waves. That still feels mysterious to me. Music has always known when to arrive. It has rescued me more times that I can count. It is like a cat or dog that quietly appears beside you when it senses you are not quite yourself.

‘The album includes songs and fragments of songs that had been waiting for me, some for years. There were melodies, verses, and ideas written down and tucked away for some unknown future when I would have the time and attention to finish them.

‘Apparently, that future is now.

‘Working on the music gave shape to days that did not always have much shape. 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.

‘I do not consider Parkinson’s a gift or a blessing. It is neither. 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.’

Simon, who is preparing to release her first album in 18 years, Comes In Waves, said she is ‘still writing, singing, imagining, laughing, worrying, remembering, and occasionally getting trapped in an overstuffed chair.’

‘I am deeply grateful to my children, my family, my friends, my caregivers, and the medical professionals who have helped me through this. Their love and patience have carried me through days when my own reserves were not enough.

‘I wanted to share this now because so many people have reached out with genuine concern. I am touched by that concern, even when I have not known how to respond.

‘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. But I am still very much here. With love, Carly.’

Simon was born in New York City, and attended high school at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx.

This singer-songwriter formed a musical duo with her sister, in which they played guitar and covered artists like Harry Belafonte and Judy Collins. 

After briefly attending Sarah Lawrence College as well as the prestigious music school Juilliard, she halted her academic career to become a full-time musician.

The bold move paid off, as her debut album earned her a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1972. 

Simon shares two children, daughter Sally, 52, and son Ben, 49, with her first husband, fellow musician James Taylor, 78. 

Simon was married to Taylor from 1972 to 1983, but also had romantic involvement with the likes of Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, Jack Nicholson and Cat Stevens.

She went on to marry poet James Hart in 1987 and they divorced 20 years later – ‘he turned out to be gay,’ she says in her book.

WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS says there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.

Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness.

Some people can also experience lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration.

What are the early signs?

Symptoms can start gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one part of the body.

In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk.

Speech can also become soft or slurred, with the condition worsening over time.

What are the causes?

Some scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

It occurs after a person experiences loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain.

However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells ᴀssociated with the condition takes place but research is ongoing to identify potential causes.

Scientists say genetics factor can increase a person’s risk of developing the disease, and can therefore run in families.

Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, though such links are inconclusive, the NHS says.

How is it diagnosed?

No tests can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination.

A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or speak to check for any common signs of the condition.

They may even check for difficulty making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement.

How many people are affected?

Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson’s UK.

What happens if someone is diagnosed?

According to the charity, it is a legal requirement to contact the DVLA, as a diagnosed person will need to have a medical or driving ᴀssessment.

The organisation also advises people to contact any insurance providers and find out about financial support available.

People are also encouraged to partake in more exercise.

Can it be treated?

Although there is no cure, a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms.

The main remedies include medication, exercise, therapy and surgery, which can help people in different ways.

What medication is available and what are the side effects?

Medication can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as shaking and movement problems.

There are three main types which are commonly used, levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor. Each can affect people in different ways.

The drugs do have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behaviour, hallucinations, sleep issues and blood pressure changes.

What therapy is available?

There are several therapies available to those with Parkinson’s through the NHS.

Among them are physiotherapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help with completing day-to-day tasks and speech and language coaching.

Does this change the way you live?

Most people’s life expectancy will not change a great deal, though more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health.

It can also cause some cognitive issues and changes to mood and mental health.

Those with Parkinson’s are encouraged to exercise more often, with scientists saying 2.5 hours of exercise a week is enough to slow the progression of symptoms.