This is part two of three for a mini-series of episodes we are calling “The Talk.” Hosts Larry and Rebecca Gifford are also the guests this week. In this episode, they check share the emotional toll Parkinson’s takes on each of them.How to maintain agency of your life while dealing with Parkinson’s, how apathy impacts everything and where hope is found when you feel hopeless. Thank you for listening. EMAIL US: ParkinsonsPod@CuriousCast.ca  Have questions for Larry & Rebecca?  Want to share how your conversations go with your partner? We would love you to click and call us here.   https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford Twitter: @ParkinsonsPodFacebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPodInstagram: @parkinsonspod Thanks to Dila Velazquez – Story ProducerGreg Schott – Sound Design Our Promotional Partners include:  Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford as featured in the MJFF2021 Year in Review. Also noted in the 34 page booklet was…PD Avengers –  We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. The next Assemble meeting is Tuesday, Jan 25th at 11a PT. Join us. Details under “meetings” at PD Avengers dot com. World Parkinson Congress 2023 – It’s time to start thinking about making your plans to join us for #WPC2023 in Barcelona, Spain for t he sixth triennial congress. Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  

This is part one of three for a mini-series of episodes we are calling “The Talk.” Hosts Larry and Rebecca Gifford are also the guests this week. They will check on how each other is doing physically and emotionally.  They will talk about personal priorities, advocacy, and how chronic disease changes and challenges the dynamics of a family. We will also get into what gives us hope. In part one, that you are about to hear – we are talking about where our life sits from a practical perspective, the joys and pressures.  Also, what we are discovering about what we need as people and a family to maintain balance and productivity in our relatively new life where Parkinson’s is a main character. We are figuring out how to take true breaks, a concept and practice that changes its meaning constantly and looks different as Parkinson’s progresses. And we’re relearning how energy conservation and awareness affects our wellbeing and ability to be present and as healthy as possible.  Thank you for listening.  EMAIL US: ParkinsonsPod@CuriousCast.ca   Have questions for Larry & Rebecca?  Want to share how your conversations go with your partner? We would love you to click and call us here.   https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod   Thanks to  Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design This episode is dedicated in memory of my friend and fellow improve performer Sukhi. Thanks for the laughs pal. Godspeed.   Our Promotional Partners include:   Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.   Thanks also to our content and promotional partners  The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford as featured in the MJFF2021 Year in Review. Also noted in the 34 page booklet was… PD Avengers –  We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. The next Assemble meeting is Tuesday, Jan 25th at 11a PT. Join us. Details under “meetings” at PD Avengers dot com.  World Parkinson Congress 2023 – It’s time to start thinking about making your plans to join us for #WPC2023 in Barcelona, Spain for t he sixth triennial congress.  Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  

Larry & Rebecca Gifford dive deep in to deep brain stimulation (DBS). We learn about the innovative technology used for DBS from Dr. Alfonso Fasano, the chair of Neuromodulation and multi-disciplinary care at the University of Toronto and University Health Network. Sonia Soriano-Espert from Valencia, Spain, through translator and friend Sabela Avion, shares her experience of having DBS surgery conducted by a robot. This interview first aired on ODNA PK radio in Spain. The hosts are PD Avengers and members of Con P de Parkinson, a growing group of women who speak Spanish and have PD. In part-one of this two-part arc, Heather Kennedy and Becca Miller were preparing for DBS Surgery. In part two, both women share their surgery experience. The share how their children responded and how they feel about DBS, now that they have had it.  Thank you for listening.  Send us songs you would want to listen to while undergoing DBS.   EMAIL US: ParkinsonsPod@CuriousCast.ca  Or add the songs you’d want to listen to during DBS to the WLGYP DBS PLAYLIST on Spotify Have questions for Larry & Rebecca? Do you want to share your DBS story or have an idea for an upcoming podcast? Want to share how the podcast has helped you? Click the link on your laptop or desktop and leave us a voice message.https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people and organizations featured in this episode: Alfonso Fasano, MD, PhD, Chair in Neuromodulation and Multi-Disciplinary Care, Neurologist, Co-Director of the Surgical Program, Movement Disorders Centre, Toronto Western Hospital.   Heather Kennedy, PwP, WPC2023 Ambassador a.k.a. Kathleen Kiddo Becca Miller, PhD, PwP, Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University.  Michael S. Okun, MDUniversity of Florida Kelly D. Foote, MD University of Florida Ted X Talk about DBS from Michael Okun, MD and Kelly Foote, MD (2012) Sonia Soriano-Espert, PwP, Valencia, Spain. Con P de Parkinson Sabela Avion, PwP, NYC & Spain. Founder of Parkinsonic. Con P de Parkinson Special music acknowledgements. Thank you to Justin Timberlake. We played 12 seconds of “Cant Stop The Feeling!” Credit goes to the song writers Timberlake, Max Martin, and Johan Schuster. Timberlake and Martin are also credited as producers along with Shellback.   Thank you to Taylor Swift. We played :17 of “Shake it Off.” The song was written by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback. It was released on Big Machine records in 2014. A special thanks to Dorothy and Scarecrow. “If I Only Had a Brain,” is heard for 31 seconds. The song is featured in the 1938 film The Wizard of Oz. It is written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Ray Bolger and Judy Garland sang it when their characters first met along the yellow brick road. The film is still under copyright by Warner Pictures. Our Promotional Partners include:   Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to Parkinson Canada’s “Together: No Matter What” campaign Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.   PD Avengers –  We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2023 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design

Larry & Rebecca Gifford dive deep in to deep brain stimulation (DBS). We challenge the Neuroscience perception that the brain is everything we know and do, and everything we are. We believe, more than just a brain that makes us human, empathetic, and real.  This first part prepares you for the surgery. We call it DBS 101. We will explain terminology detail the lead up to the surgery, and tell you why it matters where the lead wires are placed in your brain. We explore our personal hesitations surrounding DBS. And we revisit friends of the podcast, Heather Kennedy and Becca Miller, both of whom are recovering from recent DBS surgeries.  Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons   Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod   Thank you to the following people and organizations featured in this episode: Heather Kennedy, PwP, WPC2023 Ambassador a.k.a. Kathleen Kiddo Becca Miller, PhD, PwP, Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University.  Michael S. Okun, MD University of Florida Kelly D. Foote, MD University of Florida Ted X Talk about DBS from Michael Okun, MD and Kelly Foote, MD (2012) Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to Parkinson Canada’s “Together: No Matter What” campaign Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.   PD Avengers –  We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2023 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design

The first three episodes of Season 4 of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s go deep inside the brain. It has been five years since the United Nations recognized one BILLION people or one in six person’s alive today on the planet suffers from a neurological disorder, from Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy to migraine, brain injuries and neuro-infections. Each year, nearly 7 million dying from neurological issues each year. Every two-and-half minutes, another person dies from Parkinson’s disease. What’s happening to us? The Brain is Under Siege. In the kickoff episode of Season 4, Howard Weiner MD, a Harvard professor and Co-Director of the Ann Romney Center at Brigham and Women’s hospital shares his theories. Weiner released a book in October 2021 called, “The Brain Under Siege; Solving the Mystery of Brain Disease, and How Scientists are Following the Clues to a Cure.”  He suggests the key to solving this diseases is to treat them like crime scenes. Learn along with Larry as Dr. Weiner details Alpha Synuclean, Microbiome, the Brain Gut Connection, and the importance of volunteering for research. He also explains how many of these brain issues have more in common that we first thought.   Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons   Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod   Thank you to the following people and organizations featured in this episode: Dr. Howard Weiner, Harvard professor, Co-Director of The Ann Romney Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and author of “The Brain Under Siege.” Dr. Ray Dorsey, co-author “Ending Parkinson’s Disease.” Dr. Gregory Petsko – Ted Talk Dr. Silke Cresswell – Studies role of Gut Biome Ted Talks Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.   Here is a link to Parkinson Canada’s “Together: No Matter What” campaign   Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.   PD Avengers –  We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2023 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2023 in Barcelona, Spain.   Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design

We missed a few weeks of the podcast and I wanted to explain why. Turns out I can’t still do it all. I’m having to prioritize more and  more on where I put my focus. This time, the podcast got short shrift. But, I figured if anyone would be understanding it’ll be my pod peeps. There are two more episodes of Season 3 of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s which will be released sometime this Summer. One on Paraquat and other toxic chemicals and one on DBS: Deep Brain Stimulation. After those episodes drop, Rebecca and I will be on a hiatus from the podcast until sometime in 2022. Breaking News. Big Announcement dropped on June 15 that the World Parkinson Congress 2022 in Barcelona is postponed one year to July 4-7. It will still be in Barcelona.

This episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s features former NBA star Brian Grant who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2008. He spent 12 years battling for rebounds and putting points on the board playing professional basketball and the last 13 years battling Parkinson’s and putting points on the board as a PD advocate.   “You know, when I go onto court and go up against somebody who was a big name, I’d grit my teeth to try to be an animal out there,” Grant shared. But he admits, YOPD is a different beast than pro basketball, “You can do that at Parkinson's, but it's just going to sit there and say, keep gritting your teeth and when you get done gritting your teeth…  I'm going to have your cheekbone.” From denial and depression to acupuncture and advocacy, Brian Grant’s PD story is a unique but relatable journey for many suffering and living with the disease. His honesty and vulnerability are on display as he, like many of us, try to come to terms with a disease determined to do whatever it pleases, whenever it wants to.  You can find out more about the Brian Grant Foundation at BrianGrant.org. His book Rebound: Soaring in the NBA, Battling Parkinson’s, and Finding What Really Matters is available everywhere you buy books… Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode:  Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to Parkinson Canada’s “Together: No Matter What” campaign Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.   PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

This episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s is all about care partners and caregivers advocating for themselves. We take our jobs very seriously and often put caring for ourselves last on our lists. Our lives and well-beings are affected on nearly every level by our Person with Parkinson’s condition, and we have our own needs, yet we still are often considered predominantly in relationship to them. How do we as care partners, caregivers and Partners in Parkinson’s advocate for equal consideration in and out of our relationships? How do we make sure we have what we need to take care of ourselves, not to mention the time and space to do it? How do we learn to consistently consider our own well-being first? Rebecca takes the lead this episode and talks to three wise and wonderful care partners. First, she speaks frankly about the challenges and lessons that Cherryl Choi and Sheryl Hague have learned as they navigate their life as care partners, mothers and humans. Then she speaks to Leslie Davidson, an award-winning writer and Person with Parkinson’s who also was a care partner and caregiver to her late husband Lincoln, who had Lewy Body Dementia. She tells us what she’s learned by being on both sides of the experience and the role her writing plays in her own advocacy. And, of course, Rebecca and Larry talk about how they move through these waters in their relationship. U-Turn Parkinson’s is Sheryl and Tim Hague’s wellness center in Winnipeg. Find out more about all that Cherryl and Jimmy Choi do at a TheFoxNinja.com. Writer Leslie Davidson’s website. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons   Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode:   Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to Parkinson Canada’s “Together: No Matter What” campaign Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.   PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month! This episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s addresses stigma of Parkinson is in Uganda. You will meet Hannington Kabugo and learn how the passion and resourcefulness of a single advocate can help drive change in the world. Hannington and his two sisters moved with their father out of their home after the village determined his Mom was a witch. They were never to return. He tells us the stories of what happened when he sneaked back to see her. Years later, Hannington realized she was exhibiting all the signs of Parkinson’s. He has established Parkinson’s Si Buko, which means Parkinson’s is not witchcraft or a curse. DONATIONS for Hannington and Parkinson's Si Buko can be handled two ways.  1.Donations go directly into a PayPal account owned by Sherryl Klingelhofer, President of Parkinson's Si Buko 2  "Uganda: Pills for Patients with Parkinson's, which will go direct to Hannington   Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Kabugo Hannington – is the Director of Operations of Parkinson’s Si Buko Uganda Gavin Mogan – is a PwP, living in Texas, and is Executive Director of Parkinson’s Si Buko Uganda  Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to Parkinson Canada’s “Together: No Matter What” campaign Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.   PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month! This episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s Larry interviews Allan Cole from the PD Wise blog and the author of a new book Counseling Persons with Parkinson’s Disease. Allan, 53, received his diagnosis nearly five years ago. In addition to his advocacy work, he is a father of two teenaged girls, he is coming up on his 30th wedding anniversary and he is a professor and academic dean in Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. Halfway through this episode, the host becomes the guest as Allan interviews Larry. The discussions wind their way through work life with PD, family, advocacy, leadership and what gives them hope. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Allan Hugh Cole Blog: PD Wise, Book: Counseling Persons with Parkinson’s Disease Follow Allan on Twitter: @PDWise Allan mentioned an episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s when I spoke with colleagues. Here’s a link to “Parkinson’s doesn’t have to be a career killer.” Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to Parkinson Canada’s “Together: No Matter What” campaign Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month! This episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s is about women with Parkinson’s who are diagnosed less often, less accurately and offered treatments that are less effective often because hormonal cycles play a role and it’s a rather unexplored area of the disease. We will hear from three women with Parkinson’s who also experienced pregnancy, giving birth and parenting with PD. All of their experiences were different, but certainly complicated by their Parkinson’s disease. And all three are now advocates for women like them. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Soania Mathur, MD - Sonia was a family physician and pregnant with her first child when she was diagnosed at 27. She is co-founder of PD Avengers, co-chair of The Michael J Fox Patient Council,  on the Board of Directors for the Davis Phinney Foundation, and the medical boards of the Brian Grant Foundation and Parkinson Canada. She and her two daughters have also written two Children’s books on Parkinson’s; My Grandpa’s Shaky Hand and Shaky Hands – A Kids Guide to Parkinson’s Disease. Caitlin Nagy – After denying and hiding her diagnosis for seven years, Caitlin, a 38-year-old mother, is sharing her story of Parkinson’s in Parkinson Canada’s April Awareness Campaign “Together: No Matter What.” Paola Celli - Paola was born in Ecuador and diagnosed at the age of 12. She was married and then moved to Texas where she gave birth to two children.   Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to Parkinson Canada’s “Together: No Matter What” campaign    Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain. Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Rob Johnson  – Sound Design  

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, I am the host of a live event with four leading experts in the Parkinson’s world. Together they wrote a book called “Ending Parkinson’s Disease” and launched a red letter campaign to the White House. It’s been one year since the book was released and it has helped to inspired the movement PD Avengers, which I co-founded. What’s new in Parkinson’s? What have they learned? What’s standing in our way of success? Listen as Dr. Ray Dorsey, Dr. Bas Bloem, Dr. Michael Okun, and Dr. Todd Sherer sit down for one on one interviews with me and learn how, no matter where you are in the world, you can help make a difference.   Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Dr. Todd Sherer, CEO Michael J Fox Foundation Dr. Michael Okun, Chair and professor of Neurology, University of Florida Dr. Bas Bloem, Prof. Bas Bloem is the medical director of the Department of Neurology at Radboud University Medical Center. Dr. Ray Dorsey, Prof. Department of Neurology , Director of Center for Health and Technology (SMD)     at the University of Rochester   Buy the Ending Parkinson’s Book or Join the Red Letter Campaign www.endingpd.org Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to the Parkinson’s Canada Preventing Falls Guide.   Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.   Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design  

This episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s is about exploring Eastern holistic healing modalities as a complement to the pharmaceuticals relied upon by Western Medicine. Parkinson’s touches a global community, so we might as well use all the global tools to address our health and wellness. Sometimes it is a matter of having the courage to try something new. For me, last year, that was acupuncture. I am afraid of needles, but quite enjoyed the pain relief it provide and calming, centering sensation it provided. Practitioners of traditional Eastern medicine stress the importance of finding an energetic balance and energetic awareness. I have never had Reiki. Rebecca experienced it at World Parkinson Congress in Kyoto. We talk to the two Reiki masters who were in the “renewal room” and the impact that they observed Reiki had on people with Parkinson’s and care partners. We also chat with Karl and Angela Robb. Karl has had PD for thirty years. After discovering the benefits of Reiki, they both became Reiki masters and use it to manage life’s challenges. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Muniqui Muhammad and Lena Takahashi www.healinglandreiki.com Karl and Angela Robb www.KarlRobb.com and check out their book A Soft Voice in a Noisy World: A Guide to Dealing and Healing with Parkinson’s Disease Book Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to the Parkinson’s Canada Preventing Falls Guide.  Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

Hi, it’s Larry. I’m 49 and I have Parkinson’s disease. This episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s is about managing falls. It is winter and where we live snow and ice and black ice and freezing rain are all hazards, which increase everyone’s chances of falling. People with Parkinson’s are more prone to slipping and stumbling, skidding and tumbling to the ground. So, we should talk about it. I didn’t consider it a topic I’d need to know much about until I get much older. I was wrong. One reason we're doing this episode is because over the holidays I had four falls.   I am on the mend with help from NeuroFit BC’s Naomi Casiro. Rebecca and I talk with Physiotherapist Nicole Ascera, PhD. She’s a clinical specialist in neurosciences and wrote the Parkinson Canada Guide on Preventing Falls. I also meet the creator of the ACTIVATOR Poles by Urban Poling, Mandy Shintani. These are great tools especially for gait, balance and confidence issues. Through the episode, Rebecca and I realize we have a lot to do to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually for the next fall. And the fall after that one. And the one after that one. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Naomi Casiro (Founder/ Registered Physiotherapist) BSc. (Kin), MPT, Certified PWR! https://www.neurofitbc.com/ Nicole Acerra, PhD Nicole Acerra, PhD, is a physiotherapist with a passion for neurological and vestibular rehabilitation. She is one of the authors of the Parkinson Canada’s Preventing Falls Guide Mandy Shintani OT & Gerontologist, Developer ACTIVATOR Poles & Founder Urban Poling Inc. Learn more about how Activator poles work with PwP at an upcoming free webinar. Register today! The webinar is on Wed April 28 at 7 pm EST/4 pm PST https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QDm5AfunTZyUmW2yCccU5A Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Here is a link to the Parkinson’s Canada Preventing Falls Guide. Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us.World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, my wife Rebecca and I discover and discuss integrative medicine with Dr. Indu Subramanian. Integrative medicine is where Western and Eastern medicines meet. Activities we all are aware of like yoga, mindfulness, acupuncture and massage are among the activities that fall into integrative medicine. I first met Indu when she interviewed me on a webinar for PMD Alliance in September 2020. Indu is Canadian, having been born and raised in Ontario, she now lives in LA. She runs the Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s at the West Los Angeles Veteran’s Hospital and is a neurologist on staff at UCLA hospital. She’s also certified in Integrated Medicine, has more than 200 hours of yoga training and loves to explore unconventional and non-pharma treatments to improve life for people with PD. Her study on loneliness during the pandemic causing an increase of PD symptoms was widely reported on in medical journals, newspapers and popular magazines alike. She is approachable, positive, curious, and empowering. We talk about her love of the brain, the PD Avengers, the power of storytelling, and why integrative medicine does come with some warning labels. We hope you will enjoy this conversation as much as we do. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Dr. Indu Subramanian, Movement Neurologist over seeing Parkinson’s Center of Excellence at the West Los Angeles Veteran’s Hospital and a neurologist at UCLA Hospital. Follow her on twitter at @drisubramanian  Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain. Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, my wife Rebecca and I are talking with two leaders of Parkinson's organizations about the impact coronavirus has had on advocacy, collaboration, new programs. Karen Lee and Elizabeth “Eli” Pollard are true leaders with serious minds and senses of humor, and both are visionary when it comes to bringing the Parkinson community together with a purpose.  Dr. Karen Lee took on the role of President and CEO of Parkinson’s Canada in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic. She’s taking the work-at-home mandate as a chance to meet and get to know her staff, advocates, and leaders of other organizations virtually, “We talk with all the various groups, look for opportunities, synergies, it's not about trying to compete and were not looking to duplicate efforts, but really looking for efficiencies and opportunities.” Parkinson Canada is also establishing a Parkinson Advisory Council to help inform decisions and make recommendations to the charity. Eli Pollard, Executive Director of World Parkinson Coalition, would typically make 12 to 15 trips to various destinations as she plans for the World Parkinson Congress 2022 in Barcelona. With travel restricted by COVID-19, she has been busy creating new programs including a dual language webinar series where the same presenters host a webinar first in English and then thirty minutes later in Spanish.  She’s also just announced that May 17-21, 2021 is the inaugural VIRTUAL World Parkinson Congress, “We've been chewing on this idea for a long time and COVID sort of pushed our hand, which is great. So it would be sort of “year one” is the in-person Congress, “year two” and “year three” would be a virtual Congress. And so we're calling it WPC Virtual.” This year’s theme is advancing science care and living with Parkinson's. Their will be around 80 presenter's, with 5 tracks, but all the content for each day will be release at once for virtual attendees to watch it at their convenience. There will be live Q&A sessions 24 hours after each scheduled session. The WPC Virtual admission is $25.00, all inclusive.                                      Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Dr. Karen Lee – President and CEO of Parkinson Canada@Dr_KarenLee To learn more about the Parkinson Advisory Council https://www.parkinson.ca/listing/parkinson-advisory-council-member/ Eli Pollard – Executive Director, World Parkinson Coalition #WPC2022 For more information on Dual Language webinars https://www.worldpdcoalition.org/page/webinarseries For more information on 2021’s VIRTUAL World Parkinson Congress https://www.worldpdcoalition.org/page/WPCVirtual For more information on the WPC Research Spotlight https://www.worldpdcoalition.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1470125 For more information on 2022’s World Parkinson Congress in Barcelona https://www.worldpdcoalition.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1470125 Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, Larry and Rebecca Gifford welcome 2021 by digging through a sack full of hope. Each week there seems to be another headline that signals major breakthroughs – as in bio-markers and disease altering treatments – are just around the corner for Parkinson’s. We talk to two people who confirm we are on the precipice of major changes in how we view and treat the disease. However, it is not just about the diagnosis and treatments. PD advocates come in all shapes and sizes – from 80 year old driveway walkers, to middle aged soccer players, to geeks and nerds sitting behind a computer screen. Each are unleashing their super powers on the PD community and owning it. Get ready for lasers in your head, a race with the moon and the inaugural Parkython. Plus, there’s a tomato… a laser… a magic ring…  Uma Thurman….Barcelona, and a serious discussion of wearables for non-invasive measuring of dopamine levels.If you are a half-glass empty person, this episode will either be so packed with hope is shooting out your ears or you will have 17 more great, positive, groundbreaking, even life changing, “wow” moment things to find flaw with.Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsonsFollow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford Twitter: @ParkinsonsPodFacebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPodInstagram: @parkinsonspodThank you to the following people featured in this episode:David Vocadlo, Canada Research Chair in Chemical Biology, Simon Fraser University. His research website is here.Debi Brooks, Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Listen to Episode One of the podcast series “Milestones and Momentum in Parkinson’s Research”Charlie Appleyard –  Learn about Sport Parkinsons here. The “Race the Moon” announcement will be on Monday, January 11, 2021.Rui Cuoto – Read about Parkython (Parkinsons + Hackathon) and register to be a part of it!Kevin Krejci – Learn more about the Oura Ring we discussed. John Dean – For details on the EPDA’s Keep on Moving and ExerciseCast click the links. Ralph & Berys Richardson – Check out Team Ralph on the SuperWalk websiteGreg Hicks – Greg documents Ralph’s campaign on FacebookSpecial thanks to Pulp Fiction and Uma Thurman’s tomato joke, Dave Clark (Happy 10th-Parkyversary), the generic voice guy for Vie Light, and Babe Ruth for calling his shot. Here’s a link to the photo of the Levodopa Tomato.Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000, on Twitter @ParkinsonCanadaThanks also to our content and promotional partnersThe Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry GiffordSpotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust. PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us.World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, you will meet Ralph and Berys Richardson who have been married 52 years. Five years ago, doctors diagnosed Ralph with Lewy Body Dementia and then Parkinson’s disease a few years later. When COVID-19 hit, Ralph’s usual exercise programs were cancelled. So, with the help of Berys and his caretaker Greg Hicks, he decided to walk up and down his driveway everyday. He set his mind to doing 30 laps. He reach his goal in 17 days. Then he set his sights a bit higher, walk 100 days to raise $10,000. More than 200 days later, he’s still walking and he’s raised more than $30,000 for Parkinson Canada. Also, this episode is the final episode for contributor Niki Reitmayer. We say farewell and good luck. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod A fond farewell to Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer. We love you, will miss you and wish all the best. Thanks for going on this journey with us. Thank you to the following people featured in this episode: Ralph & Berys Richardson – Check out Team Ralph on the SuperWalk website Greg Hicks – Greg documents Ralph’s campaign on Facebook Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000, on Twitter @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners Parkinson’s IQ + You– A free, series of Parkinson’s events from the Michael J. Fox Foundation Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust. PD Avengers - We want to help end Parkinson’s disease. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.   Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, what happens when the side effects of your medication are causing more harm than the disease itself? Many people with Parkinson’s are treated with dopamine agonists, which work perfectly for thousands of people, but can cause uncontrollable, destructive behaviors for others. Among the issues are compulsive shopping, hyper-sexuality, binge eating, internet addictions, and excessive gambling. Larry, Rebecca and Niki will introduce you to two people with Parkinson’s who experienced impulse control disorder while on agonists. One of them gained 60 pounds and the other went deep in debt, lost her inhibitions, her job and nearly everything else. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer Thank you to the following people featured in this Vicki Dillon – PwP, follow Vicki on Twitter and her website Ken Robinson – Vicki’s Partner                                                                                                          Susan O’Rourke – PwP, President of Artfront Galleries in Newark, NJ Dr. Elana Clar – Neurologist, Movement Disorder Specialist, New Jersey Brain and Spine Dave Andrews – PwP, Follow Dave on Twitter Gil Thelon – PwP, Gil writes about Parkinson’s at www.shufflingeditor.com Dr. Jonathon Squires – Neurologist, Movement Disorder Specialist at Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health Special thanks to Niki Reitmayer for sharing her findings from her UBC Psych 301 Final: Impulse Control Disorders: The Strange Side Effect of Dopamine Agonists When Used to Treat Parkinson’s Disease. CREDIT: Sex, Lies and Parkinson’s Documentary 2011, Channel 4 production. Directed by Oliver Cheetham, Produced by Oliver Cheetham and James Rogan Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000, on Twitter @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners Parkinson’s IQ + You– A free, series of Parkinson’s events from the Michael J. Fox Foundation Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - We want to help end Parkinson’s disease. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

This season we are talking a lot about Parkinson’s advocacy. From advocating for yourself with your doctor to people with Parkinson’s communicating with law makers, and others who are educating, participating in research or sharing their story whether through a podcast, a blog, a book, Social Media, magazines, or one on one conversations with a friend. In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, host Larry Gifford introduces you to Parkinson’s advocate Christine Jeyachandran. Christine is an Australian living in Peru with her family. They met in Japan at the World Parkinson Congress where she was a finalist in the video competition. Her video tracked her journey to learn gymnastics with PD and ultimately achieve a handstand. Now Christine brings hope, urgency and education to her Parkinson’s advocacy through her website and videos at www.handstandforparkinson.com. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer   Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000, on Twitter @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners Parkinson’s IQ + You– A free, series of Parkinson’s events from the Michael J. Fox Foundation Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - We want to help end Parkinson’s disease. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.   Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, listen in as Larry Gifford gets his sixth month check up with his neurologist. Larry, his wife Rebecca and co-host Niki Reitmayer discuss the importance of trust and communication in building a relationship with your neurologist and all the other members of your care team – even your partner and your friends. Plus, saying “no” to a doctor can be difficult, but it is an important option to use when you do not agree with the prescribed treatment plan. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer Thank you to the following people featured in this episode… Jonathon Squires, MD Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health Heather Kennedy, #WPC2022 Ambassador Vicki Dillon, #ParkieandProud, GDNF’er Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000, on Twitter @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners Parkinson’s IQ + You– A free, series of Parkinson’s events from the Michael J. Fox Foundation Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - We want to help end Parkinson’s disease. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.   Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Rob Johnston – Sound Design  

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, three of the authors of the book Ending Parkinson’s Disease explain how Parkinson’s is preventable. WLGYP’s host Larry Gifford interviewed Bas Bloem MD, PhD, Ray Dorsey MD, and Michael S. Okun MD for a Parkinson Canada webinar. Larry, his wife Rebecca and co-host Niki Reitmayer listen, learn and react to the author’s frank discussion of Parkinson’s disease, why they believe it is preventable, who is at risk, how COVID-19 maybe triggering the onset of PD, and why more and more experts believe it to be a global pandemic.  Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer Thank you to the following people featured in this episode… Bas Bloem MD, Phd, Ray Dorsey, MD and Michael S. Okun, MD – details on their book are available at www.endingpd.ord Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000, on Twitter @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners Parkinson’s IQ + You– A free, series of Parkinson’s events from the Michael J. Fox Foundation Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - We want to help end Parkinson’s disease. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, you will learn when and how to switch neurologists and what doctor’s find annoying about you. It may be hard to believe, but doctors do not know everything about treating Parkinson’s disease. From ridiculous diagnosis stories, tragic treatment options, lack of empathy, the God complex and life altering misdiagnosis, many people with Parkinson’s have been through wringer and ultimately fired their neurologist.   The doctor-patient relationship is critical for treating Parkinson’s. “It’s really important to have someone you can talk to openly and honestly and who listens to you,” says Dr. Rachel Dolhun, a board certified movement disorder specialist and Vice President of Medical Communications for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. “Parkinson's is really all about expressing how things are going on a daily basis, how your medicines are or aren't working, and how new symptoms are coming up or how symptoms are changing.” In addition to Dr. Dolhun, this episode features conversations with a number of people with Parkinson’s including Dave Clark, Gil Thelan, and Jeanette Fisher-Pynn. Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer Thank you to the following people featured in this episode… Dr. Rachel Dolhun – Board Certified Movement Disorder Specialist and Vice President of Medical Communications for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Hosts “Ask the MD” Blog and Videos.   Dave Clark – PwP, former Sky Sports television announcer, Parkinson’s advocate and fundraiser. Gil Thelen – PwP, former President and Publisher of The Tampa Tribune, and author of “Counterpunch: Duking It Out With Parkinson’s.” Jeanette Fisher-Pynn – PwP, and featured in our “Misdiagnosis” episode Also appearing… Ellen Bookman – www.pdboxing.org and on Twitter @luvlivin3 David Ashford Jones – Former Pharmaceutical Executive turned Parkinson’s advocate Jill Carson – PwP, founder of Parkinson’s Wellness Project in Victoria, BC Kitty Fitton – PwP, www.kittyfitton.com      Michael S. Fitts – Michael J. Fox Patient Council Heather Kennedy – PwP, a.k.a. Kathleen Kiddo, featured in this previous episode on the darkness of depression. Dr. Stuart Factor - Professor of Neurology, Director of the Movement Disorders Program and Vance Lanier Chair of Neurology at Emory University School of Medicine Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000, on Twitter @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners Parkinson’s IQ + You– A free, series of Parkinson’s events from the Michael J. Fox Foundation Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - We want to help end Parkinson’s disease. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

In this premiere episode of season three of the podcast, my wife Rebecca, co-host Niki Reitmayer and I discuss what life it like with Parkinson’s three years after diagnosis and what impact has COVID-19 had on us and others with PD. Communication came up as a relatively new and big issue in the Gifford home. For 20 years, our instinctive interactions were a fun and easy part of our relationship. Now I take things literal when Rebecca is being figurative, she has to repeat herself over and over again, and I get trapped in my Parkinson’s bubble at certain times of the day. “It gets frustrating,” says Rebecca. “Because, I've repeated myself a couple of times on something and it's still not retained. For me, it's re learning patience and understanding and knowing that it's not just that he's too busy and he's not paying attention or whatever. No, it's the Parkinson's.” Larry and Rebecca also share how they are working together and individually to improve the communication glitches the Parkinson’s is causing.  Thank you for listening. Add your voice to the show and leave a message for us here; https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer Thank you to… Omotola Thomas www.parkinsonafrica.com Sally Bromley https://oxfordparkinsons.org.uk/ Jayne Calder https://www.raise-a-million-for-gdnf.org/ For more info on our presenting partner Parkinson Canada head to http://www.parkinson.ca/ The toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 Or follow them on Twitter Parkinson Canada       @ParkinsonCanada Thanks also to our content and promotional partners Parkinson’s IQ + You– A free, series of Parkinson’s events from the Michael J. Fox Foundation Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  PD Avengers - We want to help end Parkinson’s disease. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.