When Life Gives You Parkinson's

By Curiouscast

Larry Gifford has Parkinson’s disease, and he wants to talk about it. When Life Gives You Parkinson’s chronicles Larry’s journey following diagnosis at age 45, but he knows he’s only part of the story... more

4.6

218218 ratings

FAQs about When Life Gives You Parkinson's:

How many episodes does When Life Gives You Parkinson's have?

The podcast currently has 160 episodes available.

Best of When Life Gives You Parkinson's

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: The Parkinson's Plan with Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Michael Okun
In this compelling episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson's podcast, Larry sits down with Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Michael Okun to discuss their groundbreaking book, The Parkinson’s Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment. As leading neurologists and advocates, they delve into why Parkinson’s disease is now the fastest-growing neurological disorder and, more importantly, how most cases are preventable. The conversation explores the environmental factors fueling the rise of Parkinson’s, including exposure to pesticides and industrial chemicals. Drs. Dorsey and Okun introduce their bold P.L.A.N.—Prevent, Learn, Amplify, Navigate—offering a roadmap to halt the disease's progression. They also share insights from "The Parkinson’s 25," a list of actionable steps individuals can take to reduce their risk. Whether you're living with Parkinson’s, caring for someone who is, or simply seeking to understand this global health challenge, this episode provides critical insights and practical strategies. Join us as we discuss how collective action and informed choices can lead us toward ending Parkinson’s disease Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 25, 202558min
Number 2: PD Avengers Weekly Chat - Balancing Life and PD
The PD Avengers discuss the challenges of balancing life with Parkinson's disease, emphasizing the impact of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on daily routines. Both Tim Hague and Larry Gifford highlighted the necessity of daily naps and improved sleep post-DBS, though daytime sleepiness persisted. They shared personal strategies like improv for maintaining positivity and energy. Traveling with DBS was noted as challenging, with issues like being patted down at airports. They promoted the PD Avengers community, encouraging sign-ups to amplify their voice in ending Parkinson's. The conversation also touched on practical tips like using the sunflower card for hidden disabilities at airports. www.pdavengers.com https://sparkthenight.org https://hdsunflower.com/ ASK A QUESTION: https:///www.speakpipe.com/pdavengers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 05, 202514min
Number 3: PD Avengers: REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)
PD Avengers co-founders Soania Mathur and Larry Gifford discuss the challenges of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), a condition often associated with Parkinson's disease. Larry shares his experience of waking his wife up multiple times due to vivid, disturbing dreams and physical movements during sleep. Despite not having hit anyone yet, he described grabbing things and pulling a lamp toward them, which causes objects to fall. He also mentions how his wife, who sleeps in another room, checks on them during these episodes for safety. Soania relates to this experience, noting she developed RBD after their Parkinson’s diagnosis. She describes having vivid and violent dreams, often feeling anxious. She highlights the unpredictability of RBD, which disrupts her sleep and contributes to daytime fatigue. Both speakers express concern for their care partners, as they experience anxiety and stress from the disruption of their own sleep while trying to ensure safety. The conversation touches on a survey that revealed the significant stress care partners experience due to sleep disturbances in people with Parkinson’s. The speakers acknowledge the importance of sleep for both the individual with Parkinson’s and their care partner, noting that a lack of sleep adds stress and affects overall well-being. They conclude by discussing the ongoing research and the continuous struggle that Parkinson’s disease presents. LINKS: SLEEP SURVEY https://www.pdavengers.com/sleepsurvey PDAVENGERS: www.pdavengers.com SPARK THE NIGHT: https://sparkthenight.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
March 05, 20256min
Number 4: I Don’t Care Just Call It Apathy
One of the dark symptoms of Parkinson’s is apathy. Describing apathy is a bit like describing what it feels like when a dementor in the Harry Potter books kisses a character – the ability to drain happiness and hope from its victims. When a person with Parkinson’s spirals into a an apathetic state they lack motivation and lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. To experience apathy is like being in a bubble of indifference. You stop caring about yourself or other people in your life with a total void of emotion. In this episode we hear firsthand from Jeff and Kristin Krantz what it’s like as a person with Parkinson’s living in a apathetic state and how it impacts the care partner and others in the family. Dr. Bradley McDaniel offers advice on how to escape apathy through pursuit of your meaning in life. EMAIL Larry and Rebecca: [email protected] Have questions, comments, or a story idea? We would love you to click here and leave a message https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod KEY LINKS Dr. Bradley McDaniels https://hps.unt.edu/bradley-mcdaniels-phd-crc Resources Mentioned Ending Parkinson’s Disease book by Ray Dorsey MD, Michael Okun MD, Todd Sherer PhD and Bas Bloem MD, PhD Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl The Spirituality of Imperfection Storytelling and the Search for Meaning by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketchum Jeff & Kristen Krantz Thanks to Curiouscast Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Our Presenting Partner is Parkinson Canada. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Parkinson’s IQ + You Events PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2023 – It’s time to make your congress and hotel registrations. Details on the website. Spotlight YOPD – One of the only Parkinson’s organizations dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
November 23, 202250min
Number 5: What’s Your Superpower? Feat. Geoff Constable
Geoff Constable is a PD Avenger and an Ambassador for the World Parkinson Congress 2023 in Barcelona. We met at the last WPC2019 in Kyoto. Like many of us with YOPD, Geoff’s diagnosis was delayed six years as doctors tried to figure out root issue of his symptoms. In 2008, at the age of 50, he finally was able to put a name to the issues he had, Parkinson’s disease. Geoff spent his teen years sleeping on friends couches and sometimes living on the street. He earned a degree in Naval Architecture and designed 16 Ships for the Royal Australian Navy and spent countless hours battle testing the ships in extreme conditions. At 44-years old he talked to his doctor about onsetting symptoms. It took six years to diagnose him with Young Onset Parkinson’s. He was happy to have a name for it, but bummed because there was no cause, no cure, and no standard disease path. Listen to how Geoff took his diagnosis of Parkinson’s and discovered his own superpowers on how to incorporate and accept it. Using his own body as vessel, he put himself through battle testing and discovered he was capable of far more than he or his doctors believed possible. EMAIL Larry and Rebecca: [email protected] Have questions, comments, or a story idea? We would love you to click here and leave a message https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod Instagram: @parkinsonspod KEY LINKS WPC2023 Registration and Hotel Geoff Constable’s blog VIDEO: Geoff Constable’s 2022 Moomba performance Thanks to Dila Velazquez – Story Producer Greg Schott – Sound Design Our Promotional Partners include: Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada. Thanks also to our content and promotional partners The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford as featured in the MJFF2021 Year in Review. PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. World Parkinson Congress 2023 – It’s time to make your congress and hotel registrations. Details on the website. Spotlight YOPD – One of the only Parkinson’s organizations dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 12, 202251min