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The Parkinson’s diagnosis: constant companion and frenemy

   
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In August 2017, my wife celebrated her birthday, my son got a new backpack for school, we bought a new barbecue for the backyard and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

We knew something was wrong. I walked with a clomping right foot, I was unfocused, I was losing balance and coordination, I had lost my sense of smell and recently my right arm was beginning to tremor. I honestly didn’t realize the symptoms were a collection. I saw them as separate and created individual excuses for each. I’d say to myself, “You’re overweight, Larry” or “Boy, getting old sucks.” The neurologist wasn’t fooled.

These were all Parkinsonisms and I had Parkinson’s. I was 45 years old, happily married, dad of a young boy, living in a new country, and working full time. And now, I had the Michael J. Fox disease.

How did I get a degenerative brain disease? Why me? What do you do when Life Gives You Parkinson’s? I’m not sure, but that’s what we’re going to find out.

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In my podcast When Life Gives You Parkinson’s. I’m 46, and I’m navigating life with a degenerative brain disease, which has no cure.

Click here to view

On this week’s episode, my co-host Niki Reitmayer, and I explore my diagnosis, the symptoms, the drugs, and the emotions. I take you into my home to find out how my wife Rebecca and 9-year old son Henry are dealing with it, get inspiration and perspective from Nashville singer-songwriter Emily Chambers whose Dad has Parkinson’s and refreshing frankness from my appearance on the Sickboy Podcast. A Parkinson’s diagnosis is tough in many aspects; it’s clinically difficult for neurologists, it is personally difficult for friends and family, and it’s physically, emotionally and mentally taxing on the person with it – is it a frenemy for life?

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Follow me, Larry Gifford 

Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod

Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod

Instagram: @parkinsonspod

Follow Co-host and Producer Niki Reitmeyer

Twitter: @Niki_Reitmayer

For more info on our partner Parkinson Canada head to http://www.parkinson.ca/

Or follow them on Twitter

Parkinson Canada            @ParkinsonCanada

Parkinson Society BC      @ParkinsonsBC

Thank you to Caroline Wiggins Alicia Wrobel for your help

Thank you to @SickboyPodcast – check them out here http://sickboypodcast.com/

Follow them on Twitter

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Brian Stever                     @SteverBrian

Taylor MacGillvary           @Taymacgillivary

Jeremie Saunders           @JeremieSaunders

Lastly, thank you to Emily Chambers https://www.emilychambers.ca/

Follow her on Twitter at          @em_chambers

 

We LOVE that you are loving the “When Life Gives You Parkinson’s” podcast! If you haven’t subscribed yet — what are you waiting for?

Subscribing’s easy! Here’s how…

  • Open the Apple Podcasts app, search for When Life Gives You Parkinson’s and select it from the list of results.
  • Once on the When Life Gives You Parkinson’s page, click the “Subscribe” button to have new episodes sent to your mobile device for free.
  • Click the name of an episode from the list below to listen.

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  • Open the Google Podcasts app, search for When Life Gives You Parkinson’s and select it from the list of results.
  • Once on the When Life Gives You Parkinson’s page, click the “Subscribe” button to have new episodes sent to your mobile device for free.
  • Click the name of an episode from the list below to listen.
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