I've written about this issue before in my Blog. Having a condition that is not necessarily visible at first, can make it challenging for both the person with the diagnosis and those that seek to support them. Especially in the early days, it can be difficult for people to realise that a person with Parkinson's has any issues. If they present as independently mobile, drive a car, can get up steps and all in all seems to be able to function alone in the community. However, they may have hidden issues that aren't immediately obvious. Not being obvious, doesn't make them any less important.

I read on another person's blog 'there are no experts in Parkinson's'

I beg to differ.

Those of us with Parkinsons' and those that support us, are experts in our own journey with Parkinson's.

Sometimes those three little words - I love you - can be difficult for people to say. Notice the things that they do for you, big or small and they may just be their way of saying it without saying it. I think you'll like 'love in a fruitcake'

I had a bit of a blue day yesterday, so this reflects that mood. In line with my intentions to always be authentic and real, I will post even when the mood is not the best.

We all get that sometimes don't we?

This podcast gives some background to me as a podcaster and why I feel I am qualified to talk about Parkinsons.

A lesson in judgements that we can all be guilty of.

Just in a reflective mood and that shows in this podcast, where it's not as upbeat as most others have been. I wrote it a couple of days ago and it does sound a bit flat, but I figure that's the real me in the moment. Lot's going on right now!

Social media is all very well, but sometimes I think it causes us to be lazy. Giving a hug emoji when someone is going through stuff, is nothing compared to coming round and giving a real hug. If you are in the same town and a hug emoji is the sum total of your support? Not doing it for me, I'm afraid.

So, this is a podcast with an emotional bit in amongst it, where I am actually crying due to a memory of a huge thing my eldest brother did for me. I always said I would be real and this is as real as it gets!

I was in a reflective mood this afternoon and thought about 'Bucket Lists' and how people sometimes create one when they are told they have little time left to live.

I decided to have a 'bucket of joy' instead, filled with my memories.

I think we all have weird things that we prefer in life. Like my sandwiches have to be cut corner to corner or they are not right. Or, the toilet roll. Some people are quite passionate about how they like it. Rolling over the top? Of course the only way it should go!!! Or rolling down the wall. Wrong absolutely wrong!

When a person goes into care, preferences for 'silly little things' or 'weird things' might be the only thing they can control, so they take on a whole new importance.