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: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.ca

Have questions, comments, or a story idea? 

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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. 

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Larry Gifford When Life GIves You Parkinson's Podcast

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. The podcast gives voice to the fascinating people that make up the Parkinson’s community and beyond — his wife and partner in Parkinson's Rebecca co-hosts the podcast.They approach life with PD with humour and heart to heart conversations. Along the way they introduce other PwP, care partners, advocates, researchers and healthcare providers. Through these interviews, the podcast informs and inspires others to share their own stories revealing the challenges and growth offered by the Parkinson’s journey.