My name is Larry Gifford. I am 46 and navigating life with a degenerative brain disease, which has no cure. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in August 2017 after years of collecting what I thought were disconnected symptoms. I shuffled when I walked, I lost my sense of smell, and eventually it was tremors that scared me enough to seek help.
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?
Follow Larry Gifford – He has Parkinson’s
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
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
Credits
Parkinson Canada – Partner
Dila Valazquez – Story Producer
Rob Johnston – Audio Producer and Sound Design
