Our Parkinson's Life

Episode 16. Join Barry & Jakkie on their holidays in the beautiful seaside town of Aberdovey.

They remember chaotic but fun holidays when their children were young, crabbing from the jetty, productive visits to a local market, and how a glass of wine provided a coping mechanism amongst the chaos.

It's not all plain sailing. We explore the reasons behind, and solutions for, Barry's occasional bouts of anxiety.

Give it a listen – you can almost smell and taste the sea air.

Episode 15. Receiving a Parkinson's diagnosis is life changing for the partner as well, thrust into the role of carer, one they never expected or asked for.
Over time, as the disease develops, their partner may become increasingly withdrawn and non-communicative, leaving the carer feeling isolated, alone, worried about the future, even scared.
Barry (diagnosed 2015) and Jakkie (his partner and carer) explore what help may be available, the importance of breaks and other human contact, and how communicating with each other, however tough, is essential.

Episode 14. In an honest, at times uncomfortable, episode, Barry and Jakkie explore the issues of persecution, jealousy and suspicion of care - the medical reasons for this - and the damaging impact this can have on many with PD.

They recount how, through the strength of their relationship, they have dealt with aspects of these issues.

Episode 13. Jakkie dives deep into the burden that lands on the shoulders of carers following their partner's diagnosis, and how, over the months and years that follow, that burden grows.
We start to explore ways to cope, which we will return to in our next podcast.

Episode 12. We all know that hot weather can worsen Parkinson's symptoms, and with UK temperatures predicted to hit the mid-40s by 2050, these intense summers could be here to stay. But you don't have to navigate the changing climate alone. In this episode, Barry and Jakkie bring together the best cooling tips and handy hints shared by our community so we can all support each other, stay comfortable, and beat the heat together for years to come.

Episode 11. Barry and Jakkie remember back to the day Barry was diagnosed, and that feeling of panic.
Reliving those days they share five thoughts on what to do, and what not to do, next.

Episode 10. When we receive a diagnosis of Parkinson's, it is very easy to make our world smaller, to withdraw inside ourselves answer to feel things can never be the same again.
This reaction is completely understandable. Parkinson's can feel like a life sentence. We watch our friends doing all the things we don't believe we can any longer do. But could we? In their latest podcast Barry and Jakkie explore how we can adapt to a new circumstances and still live a rewarding life.

Episode 9. In their latest podcast Barry & Jakkie share their experience to date with the Produedopa pump, reflect on such a warm welcome from their local PD groups and explore the challenges carers face.

Episode 8. Barry and Jakkie explore how waking with a positive or negative mindset determines the day ahead, from living your best life to a downward spiral of negativity.

As Barry strives to tackle anxiety, Jakkie recalls a much loved bedtime story from her childhood.

Episode 7. Barry wilts, feeling the impact of the hot weather, while Jakkie breezes in fresh from her air-conditioned carers get together.  They discuss the essential need for carers to have breaks, however short.

We return to the challenge of developing a ‘can do’ attitude, a great day together at the County Show and the ease of booking accessible seats for a forthcoming concert.