Jump in the time machine with cohosts Mel, Esther, and Chris to revisit a past conversation from 2024 when Chris and Mel were both preparing for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Learn about their mindsets and quality-of-life going into the procedure, then next month, come back to hear their DBS impressions almost 2 years later!
~~~ HOSTS ~~~
Melissa Livingston | @missmliv
Esther Labib-Kiyarash | @shakinginmyboots1
Chris Sutphin | @cesutphin
with support from hosting organization, Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance
~~~ LEARN MORE ~~~
READ EARLY ONSET Parkinson’s DBS STORIES
RECOMMENDED DBS RESOURCES
JOIN YOPN | PMD Alliance’s Free Membership Program for People with YOPD & Care Partners
- Members can join the monthly community gathering held live on Zoom every 4th Tuesday/month, and you’ll likely see our co-hosts there!
GET IN-PERSON SUPPORT | PMD Alliance’s Directory for Groups, Providers, & Events
Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share! Because the conversation continues in the comments on Podbean, across social media, and in YOPN’s Monthly Community Gatherings. Tell us what you think!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the authors/producers/guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of YOPN or PMD Alliance.
My name is Michael Quaglia, and I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 42 in October 2006. For the next eight years, I worked tirelessly to climb the corporate ladder, hoping to accumulate enough wealth before the symptoms of the disease forced me into early retirement. Looking back, I wish I had made different choices.
In 2014, I stumbled upon two articles that changed the course of my life. The first was a study by the Cleveland Clinic, which found that "forced exercise" could significantly improve Parkinson's symptoms. The second was a video made by a small non-profit organization called Rock Steady Boxing, which demonstrated the benefits of non-contact boxing for people with Parkinson's.
Inspired by the potential benefits of exercise and boxing for Parkinson's patients, I dedicated my life to helping others and myself fight back against the symptoms of the disease. As a result, I have become an advocate for people with Parkinson's and an active member of the Parkinson's community.
To help get the word out in 2016 I started a Podcast "2 Mikes" with a friend Mike Achin. Seven years later we're sponsored by the Young Onset Parkinson's Network, we have numerous cohosts and our content resonates with the PD community.
Before my diagnosis, I worked as a Sales Manager for Engineering staffing agencies, but my journey with Parkinson's has led me down a different path, one in which I find fulfillment and purpose in making a positive impact on the lives of others.
