The Diagnosis: constant companion & frenemy | 1

When Life Gives You Parkinson's

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