Dealing with Parkinson's is difficult for both the individual and those who are forced to experience it. Having or creating a support group is essential if someone is going to experience true success in battling PD. In this episode, we have a special guest, Ian Rodriguez, who received his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease when he was only 25 years old. 18 years later he refuses to allow Parkinson's to define him. He is the recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Parkinson's Foundation for 2020. Ian opens up about the trials and successes that he has experienced in his life. It's an incredibly inspiring testimony that you don't want to miss. Ian covers influential organizations such as Neuroboxing and Rocky Steady Boxing that have played an important role in his battle against this progressive disease. Join Daniel, Bryan, and special guest Ian for this episode of Parkinson's and Perseverance. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656.   Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.

We all have different ways of coping with the progression of Parkinson's Disease. Some people seek out ways to defy the stereotypes associated with P.D. Others may not be able to handle this new life. They break under the crushing weight that is Parkinson's. How do you cope? The hope for a cure is a powerful motivator to keep moving. Daniel shares an encouraging new study published in Nature. There may be a potentially powerful and clinically possible approach to treating neurodegeneration by replacing lost neurons. Join Daniel, Bryan, and their special guest. Don't miss this episode. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656.   Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.

In the wake of Covid-19, we are living in a "new normal." The resurgence of the pandemic has demonstrated our difficulty with changing our lifestyle and behavior. Living with Parkinson's forces us to adapt to another "new normal." Short of a miracle cure, there is not a way back to a life without Parkinson's. Daniel admits he is a foreigner in a foreign land without a way to escape. The good news is we do not have to do it alone. In order to move forward, and continue to accomplish the goals we strive for it is necessary to reinvent parts of our lives. To adapt to the progression of the disease, Daniel shares some of the strategies he is still learning to overcome his apathy and depression. Parkinson's has provided him clarity of purpose. Join Daniel and Bryan for an episode that explores the mindset of reinventing yourself. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656. Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.

Daniel goes it alone in this in-between episode. There a few things we can do to combat the effects of Parkinson's. However, physicians and researchers seem to universally agree that exercise is the most effective. In fact, The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project showed that people with PD who started exercising earlier and a minimum of 2.5 hours a week, experienced a slower decline in quality of life compared to those who started later. Establishing early exercise habits is essential to overall disease management. For Daniel, the mechanism that helped inspire the motivation for him to wake up early in the morning to walk was the Apple Watch. Daniel explains how completing three simple circles on the watch moved him from being ambiguous to actively engaged. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656. Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.

When you learn that you have Parkinson's, it changes everything. The diagnosis of Parkinson's removes the illusion that you have the same quality of time left compared to your peers. This is a gift and a curse. However, this understanding can provide you with the strength and clarity of purpose. Join Daniel and Bryan for this episode that asks the question. Are you ready to get busy living or dying? The guys cover the complications that Parkinson's can cause when choosing to get busy living. The recent coronavirus pandemic makes remaining social and staying active that much harder. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656. Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.

The current economic volatility is a source of great anxiety for everyone. Add a new diagnosis of Parkinson's and you have the formulation of a crisis. What can those with Parkinson's whether employed or not employed expect with a disease that is progressive in nature? Daniel gets even more personal by admitting some of his greatest fears. Daniel and Bryan explore these anxieties along with other concerns. Also, this episode tackles what a person can do if they are unemployed and have Parkinson's. "Parkinson's and a Career" attempt to find a balance between the honesty of your condition versus enabling yourself to keep moving forward. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656. Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.

Telling someone that you have Parkinson's is a very personal choice. It may be years later before you make the decision to tell others about Parkinson's disease. It makes you vulnerable. How do you tell your spouse, kids, parents, etc? Daniel walks listeners through his experience so that it can possibly help you. His son was 10 years old when he decided that his son needed to know. He was afraid that if he didn't tell him then what would be the consequences if his son heard it from others. Also, Daniel explores his own fear of telling others while deciding if his career would be limited if too many people know. It's very complicated. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656. Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.

Daniel discusses the importance of participating in the grieving process. Moving through the steps of this process has played a significant role in how he has dealt with the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. We know there is a process of grief when we lose a loved one. The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is the end of life as a person knows it. The direction of our lives is ground to a complete stop. The need to grieve the loss of that life is valuable! We don’t heal all at once but over time the emotions ease. We need to move forward and redefine what life is with the disease. Eventually, the hope is to free up the energy and not continue to live in the past. To keep walking ahead emotionally instead of giving up. Also, Bryan joins Daniel to help guide the conversation of the podcast. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656.   Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.

Welcome to the podcast. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm an ordinary person that you bump into on the street. Possibly I am the person that you work with and is trying to hide their symptoms. That person is me. 9 months ago I was diagnosed with "Young Onset Parkinson's". Now I am struggling to prepare for the rough road ahead. However, I must hold onto hope that I have a wonderful life ahead. Join me for this inaugural episode of Parkinson's and Me. Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656. Email us [email protected]. If you have the Anchor app please leave a message at https://anchor.fm/parkinsonsandme.