Hello Everyone,

It's good to be back on the airwaves, I hope you are well.  In this episode I share my experience, tips and tricks for you to consider if you are going on vacation, or traveling away from home in general.  I recently had an opportunity to have a short vacation in Thailand, which is a long way from Florida !!

I will share my Parkinson's related experience in terms of planning and being on vacation.  Everyone with PD will be at different stages with different symptoms, you need to be mindful of your own limits, seek medical advice if needed before you go.  Some of this is also common sense for any travel.  I hope this is useful for you, thanks for listening !

Geoff

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all doing well.  In this episode we are joined by our guest, Coach Karlee Owens, who is a Movement Coach.  I was fortunate to watch the beginning of a free demo class she was putting on in the community here, and a lot of what Karlee was talking about, and demonstrating, seemed very relevant for consideration as part of your overall Parkinsons motor skills therapies.  You will understand why I say this as you listen to the show.  Links to Coach Karlee's website and Instagram are below:

https://www.coachkarlee.com

Instagram: coach.karlee

Thank you for listening, I hope you find it useful and remember you can always visit my website at: https:parkinsonswithgeoff.com 

and reach me by e-mail at: [email protected]

Until soon, be well and take care of each other, spread happiness and love and you will receive more than you give.

Geoff

Hello Everyone,

I have been letting "life" get ahead of me and have not recorded an episode for way too long.  So, time to brush off the cobwebs from the microphone, and my brain, and get back to business.  Thanks to all of you that have sent e-mails asking if I'm OK, when is the next episode being produced, etc.  I am humbled and grateful for your support.

I am hopeful that the ParkinsonswithGeoff Instagram and Facebook sites that I created a few months ago have attracted some new interest.  People are browsing the parkinsonswithgeoff.com website and downloading the free mini guide there, which is encouraging. This episode really is back to basics and is aimed more for our new listeners.  All the previous episodes are available on the streaming platforms other and don't forget that episode 5 has 3 parts, this is our interview with Speech Pathologist Ms. Gail Walter - very, very informative.

In the next podcast, our guest will be Coach Karlee who has a local school in my area that teaches people "Primal Movement".  This is the practice of walking, moving and many other things, the way our bodies were designed to.  I saw one of Karlee's classes recently and thought it would be ideal for people with Parkinsons, especially those with motor skill impairments, it gets you to focus on balance, posture, and moving with intent, all of which are fundamental skills to build into your lifestyle if you have Parkinsons.  You can visit Karlee's website in advance of episode 8 at: https://www.coachkarlee.com/ 

Also, don't forget you can e-mail me anytime at: [email protected], and on the website you will find links to the social media feeds too.

Take care, be kind to one another, I'll talk to you soon.

Geoff

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to episode 6 of Parkinsons With Geoff.  In this episode I will share with you some of the realities of living with PD over the last couple of weks, which as many of you know included a hurricane and also a trip "outside of my normal habitaa".  How have these changes affected how my PD affects me, and how do I deal with them?  Please listen in and find out.  Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast at [email protected] and visit the website ParkinsonswithGeoff.com.  Have a great weekend and new week ahead.

Take care,

Geoff

Hello everyone,

In this, the last of the 3 part interview with Gail Walter, certified speech pathologist, we talk more about the "Speak Out" program produced by the Parkinsons Voice Project, which incorporates many facets of combatting and slowing the progression of Parkinsons, from speech, to swallowing, cognitive and motor skills - "Living With Intent" is the motto of the program and you will hear all about it in this episode.  Thanks for tuning in, see you next week.

Geoff

Hello everyone,

Sorry, one day later than promised, in addition to dealing with the outskirts of hurricane Helene on 26th Sept, the software I use for podcast production and icloud decided they no longer liked each other, so audio files were running all over the internet completely uncatchable - rascals.  In part 2 of my discussion with certified Speech Pathologist we continue to explore the relationships between Parkinsons, Aphasia and Dementia.  We will also introduce you to a tremendous framework of tools and strategies found in the "Speak Out" program, produced by the Parkinsons Voice Project.  This organization was founded in 2005 by Ms. Samantha Elandary, who holds degrees in communication disorders and speech-language pathology.  One of the core concepts of the Speak Out program is "Do it with Intent", you can hear more about this in the podcast.  Please enjoy, and part 3 will be published no later than October 4th.  Thanks to those of you that checked on me to see how I was dealing with hurricane Helene on 26th and 27th Sept, I appreciate your concerns, and am pleased to report no damage in this neighborhood, but please send kind thoughts and support to the residents on the West and North West coast of Florida who have permanently lost their homes, primarily due to the highest storm surge (20 ft) in some areas.  Take care and have a good week.  Geoff

Hello everyone,

Episode 5 is a detailed discussion about the role of speech therapy as part of a Parkinson's Disease plan of care.  Do not be fooled the term "speech therapy", as this episode will reveal, there is way much more than speech involved in this therapy.  Episode 5 is split into 3 parts, part 1 is about Gail's own experience, her background, and outlines what is included in a comprehensive speech therapy program.. Part 2 will be released Friday 27th Sept.  I hope you enjoy these very insightful episodes and take away some new knowledge.  Thanks for listening, "see you" on Sept 27th.  Take care, Geoff.  As always, feel free to drop me a line by e-mail at: [email protected].

Hello everyone,

Episode 3 was primarily devoted to Parkinsons "fluctuations", and by sheer coincidence you were witnessing me having a fluctuation (if you hadn't stopped listening already) for about the last 20 minutes - episode 4 opens with an explanation of that.  In episode 4 I share with you my own PD journey as it relates to medications, again, remember, I am not a medical professional, I am simply sharing with you my journey.  You must always discuss your needs and medications with your neurologist and ensure your neurologist and primary care doctor are in good coordination with one another to minimize the risk of accidental drug interactions, and certainly report to both any side effects you have from any new medications you are prescribed.  

Thanks to all that have been watching and commenting on the various social media content posts that I have made, and for all those that have donated to the October Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research that I have signed up for.  I believe I have replied personally to all of you that donated, if I missed anyone, please excuse me, it's only because I missed it or simply still am not getting the hang of FB.  Also, thanks to Tina In Fort Lauderdale for signing up herself for the challenge and raising funds herself for the MJF Foundation - a tremendously supportive and progressive foundation, staffed with wonderful people.  Enjoy the show, see you next week for episode 5 which will feature a special guest who is a medical professional - listen to episode 4 to get more details.  Have a great week everyone and again, thank you for your support, please spread the word about the podcast so we can reach more people that may find it helpful in their own journey.

Take care,

Geoff

Hello Everyone,

I hope you have had a good week and now nearly all of us are "back to the grind" with schools open after summer break and you are are re-familiarizing yourself with your office if you have had a chance to get away for a while.  Yep, we're back to that already, and of course, many people get overwhelmed in September as meetings and projects get pushed into this month as we didn't quite get to them before vacation time - and now, wow, there are a lot of them right?  Hang in there.

This week I will share my personal experience from this week of Parkinsons fluctuations, and also tell you some of the basic things that I have not been doing or prioritizing, that most likely contributed to the number of "events" that occured; I have been naughty and got away from some of the basics that I recommend everyone follow as a basic priority.

Also, many of you are now aware of the Parkinson's with Geoff presence on Facebook, Instagram and X (prev. Twitter).  I've never had social media accounts before, these exist only for the purposes of making the world aware of the website and podcast with (hopefully) useful or at least interesting short posts most days, but, I really do not have any proficiency on these platforms, so if you reached out to me via one of them and I have not yet responded, it's only because I missed it or am stupid and don't know where it went - don't take it personally.  But thanks to all of you that have subscribed, liked, commented so far, I really appreciate it.  Enjoy this week's podcast and have a great week.  Links to all 3 are on my www.parkinsonswithgeoff.com website.  Take care.

Geoff

Hello everyone,

I hope you have had a good week, and more importantly that you listened to episode 1 and also went to my website: www.parkinsonswithgeoff.com and downloaded the simple 7 page guide for those that have been diagnosed with Paarkinson's Disease (PD), or perhaps you are a family member caring for someone with PD.  Also on the website are the ways to connect with me, and remember this is just my personal journey with PD, and contact me ([email protected]).

Episode 2 covers some of the basic logistics that you need to consider if you have not done so, and remember that depending on where you live, rules and regulations will vary, and you may be at a completely different stage in life or with PD than I am, so these are really more for those that are relatively recently diagnosed.  Please let me know your questions, or share your experiences, all input is welcome.  Take care, and talk to you next week.

Geoff