I love my wife. Rebecca and I just celebrated out 19th wedding anniversary. Last year, we were both thrown for a 20-yard loss when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. But a year later, we’re marching forward and trying to make the most of each moment of every day. Rebecca keeps me positive, motivated, grounded and focused on the present moment. She’s full of strength, love and wisdom. What I wasn’t as conscious of was how much the disease has already changed the way I am around the home. In this episode, Rebecca talks to Global News reporter Neetu Garcha about how she is dealing with the diagnosis, how it’s impacted our everyday life and how she and my son have had to adapt and adjust their expectations of what I can do.   “I am in awe of him as much as he’s thriving,” said Rebecca. “But, I also see the challenges. Maybe I see it more than anybody else. And that’s heartbreaking, at times, to watch the disappointment and the frustration when there is something new that crops up.” Warning: This interview triggered tears for me and it might for you. Rebecca shared with Neetu, “It’s deepened my love for him to see how he’s managing all of this and still finding so much to take from it, to offer to us and to offer to the community.” Parkinson’s can shake up life and relationships, but as with all adversity, it can also strengthen bonds of love and bring more meaning and purpose to each day of living. The interview Rebecca was recorded while filming a three-part series about Parkinson’s for Global News. Part One:‘I’m arriving with each step:’ B.C. man creates podcast on learning to live with Parkinson’s Part Two:Game-changing UBC research into Parkinson’s Disease Part Three:One Parkinson’s patient to another: ways to cope with the condition Follow me, Larry Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer Special thanks to Rebecca Gifford and Neetu Garcha (@neetugarcha) For more info on our partner Parkinson Canada head to http://www.parkinson.ca/ The toll free hotline mentioned in this episode is 1-800-565-3000 Or follow them on Twitter Parkinson Canada            @ParkinsonCanada Parkinson Society BC      @ParkinsonsBC Credits Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Rob Johnston – Senior Audio Producer

On April 4, 2017 I texted my brothers and sister. It read, “Hi all... news of a sort from up north. For some time now, I've been experiencing issues on the side of my body leading to foot dragging/clomping, favouring my left hand over right for many tasks, slurred speech at times... life threatening issues have been eliminated. Today I went to the MS clinic for tests. MS is very unlikely, but it appears I have something in the Parkinson's family. I've been referred to a specialist, will be getting a brain MRI and will be taking drugs to increase dopamine which should relieve my symptoms. I would encourage you not to worry, it seems under control and we aren't exactly sure what it is yet. But I wanted to make sure you were all in the loop. Love, Larry” That text provoked many emotions from my siblings: shock, sadness, devastation, confusion, anger, and guilt. In this episode, you’ll hear the most intimate conversations I have ever had with my two brothers and sister. I talk to Bruce, Dan and Tracy about that text, my Parkinson’s, our fears, and unconditional love. I also learn what the “Larry filter” is and I answer their questions about living with Parkinson’s. When you get Parkinson’s disease it makes you reevaluate your relationships, how you live your life, your priorities, everything. These conversations are part of that process for me. What I discovered is that while it is my diagnosis, Parkinson’s is given to everybody in your life. It impacts each person in some way. Follow me, Larry Gifford  Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer Thank you to Bruce Gifford, Dan Gifford, Tracy Cherry and Rebecca Gifford for being an important part of my life and this story. For more info on our partner Parkinson Canada head to http://www.parkinson.ca/ The toll free hotline mentioned in this episode is 1-800-565-3000 Or follow them on Twitter Parkinson Canada            @ParkinsonCanada Parkinson Society BC      @ParkinsonsBC Credits Parkinson Canada – Podcast Partner Dila Valazquez – Story Producer Rob Johnston – Audio Producer and Sound Design

In this Extra Dosage episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, I talk to my neurologist and pepper him with questions that I’ve never asked him before. Why is it hard to diagnose? What would he do if he was diagnosed? Is there really a gut health connection? What should I ask in my check-ups? What’s he looking for? And more. I find Dr. Jonathon Squires frank, funny, authentic, and accessible. I hope you do to. Meanwhile, Niki sits down with a Sandie Jones and Grace Ferrari at Parkinson Canada. Sandy pre-dates the Parkinson wonder drug levodopa. She shares her experience with Parkinson’s as a nurse in the early 1960’s. After hearing what it was like, I’ll likely never complain about having to take my pills so often.

My name is Larry Gifford. I am 46 and navigating life with a degenerative brain disease, which has no cure. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in August 2017 after years of collecting what I thought were disconnected symptoms. I shuffled when I walked, I lost my sense of smell, and eventually it was tremors that scared me enough to seek help.

I'm Larry Gifford, I have Parkinson's disease. I'm one of 10 million people diagnosed by a disease people know very little about, so, I will be sharing my personal journey into what it’s like to live and work with Parkinson’s disease as a 40-something husband and father with a career.  Podcast will be released in Sept. but please subscribe now so you don't miss a single episode.