103 Art Therapy Part 4 The Joy and Benefits of Music
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Release Date: 09/11/2024
124 Magic with a Parkinson's Sleight of Hand
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Who doesn’t like magic tricks? I love watching magicians trying to surprise the audience with their slight of hand tricks. Always fascinates me and asking how do they do that. What does this have to do with the Parkinson’s Experience? Well, my guest today turned to learning magic after he was diagnosed with PD and could no longer work as a nurse. Although his main symptom is bradykinesia or slowness of movement, he is able to perform magic with a little help from getting Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. He performs and has recruited a community of magicians to join him is raising awareness...
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123 Fall Prevention and Safety
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
September is Fall Prevention month. As we age, falling—or even the fear of falling—becomes increasingly common. For people with Parkinson’s, the risk is often higher due to specific changes in the body that affect balance, strength, and coordination. Almost all of us will experience a fall at some point, which is why it’s so important to understand your abilities, recognize your tendencies, and keep open communication with your neurologist and care team. The good news is that there are effective ways to improve balance, manage dizziness, and build strength. Prevention truly is key....
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122 PPMI - How You Can Help Find a Cure
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
I’ve been eager to share with all of you in podcast land some important information and history about what I believe is one of the key drivers in helping fulfill the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s mission to cure Parkinson’s disease. The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), launched in 2010, is a groundbreaking study involving people both with and without Parkinson’s. It gathers data over time to help researchers better understand how Parkinson’s starts, how it progresses, and — most importantly — how to stop it. Sound important? It absolutely is. And it’s still...
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121 Thriving with Parkinson's
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Listening to personal Parkinson’s stories offers valuable insights for everyone. In this episode, we interview Greg Ritscher, who responded to his diagnosis with determination shaped by his business and personal experiences. Greg also shares a notable DBS story. His journey highlights motivation, positivity, community support, and advocacy. Enjoy our inspiring conversation with Greg. Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson’s disease at...
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120 Vestibular Therapy - Your Inner Ear and You
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
The range of symptoms and affected body systems in Parkinson’s disease is extensive. One area that is less frequently discussed is the vestibular system—the inner ear structure directly connected to the brain, responsible for balance and spatial orientation. When this system malfunctions, individuals may experience dizziness, balance problems and an increased risk of falls, highlighting its importance in your overall health. With aging, the inner ear naturally becomes less robust. Although current research has not yet identified a definitive cause for the higher incidence of vestibular...
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119 Driving Advice for Parkinson's
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
One of the possibilities along the Parkinson’s journey is losing the ability to drive safely. This possibility is a scary one. For many, driving equals independence. So, it means more than just the hassle of getting around. It means losing your independence. It can lead to depression and anxiety. However, it is important to be safe on the road while driving a multi-ton vehicle. We must protect ourselves, our family, and others on the road. So, we are talking today with an Occupational Therapist who is so passionate about this topic that she started a business focused on helping people keep...
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118 FREE Parkinson's Wellness in Austin & Online
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Where do you exercise? Is there a place you can take classes specific for people with Parkinson’s? Is it convenient? I know of only a handful of cities where there is a one stop fits all approach to PD wellness. Most are created and managed by someone stepping up and doing the work to make it happen for their community and beyond. I am excited to highlight some of these magical places where people with Parkinson’s take classes designed for their needs, provide social support, and community. I am thrilled to bring. you this first magical place. It is in the greater the Austin, TX area and...
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117 Why We Struggle with Sleep
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Do you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, getting enough sleep? Well, you are not alone. It seems lack of sleep is an epidemic in the US. In particular, getting a restful night’s sleep is very difficult for the majority of people with Parkinson’s. Why? What is going on and how can we improve our the quantity and quality of our sleep? This is a meaty topic to tackle. It is very important to understand it and make changes to improve your situation. Luckly, we were able to get a highly qualified expert on sleep disorders with experience helping people with Parkinson’s. Dr....
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116 Smell Loss and the Brain
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Did you know there is a connection between loss of smell and Parkinson’s disease? In fact, it may turn out to be a predictor of the disease up to 10 years before a clinic diagnosis of PD. Here are some interesting stats: · 100% of major brain disorders are associated with smell loss · 96% of newly diagnosed people with Parkinson’s have lost some ability to smell · 70% of people living with smell loss don’t know it until they are tested · 50%...
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115 Make Your Voices Heard: Ban Chemicals that Cause Diseases
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
This is a very important topic and one in which you can make a difference. Our environment is sickening the population. Parkinson’s disease is one example of a condition that likely was caused by pesticides and other toxic chemicals in our water, food, air and soil. All of us can contribute to preventing future generations from getting Parkinson’s and other diseases. Those already diagnosed may benefit as well. If we avoid these chemicals now, we may slow the progression of the disease just as exercise has been proven to do so. Bottom line: we need to work together to get these destructive...
info_outlineI’ve had a wonderful time this summer speaking with people with Parkinson’s who have found joy, meaning and symptom relief using one or more forms of artistic expression - let’s call it art therapy. If you haven’t listened to the first three, please do. I found inspiration and information in each one. I hope you will as well.
This is the fourth episode in our art series and the topic is music. Just like the others we have discussed; music therapy involves no pills and side effects. There are ongoing research on music’s effect on the brain. We will have to stay up on the findings over time. For this episode, I interviewed a university dean with young onset PD who discovered the joy in making music. He learned how to play the guitar along with his daughter and good enough to perform with her on stage. Dean Cole is a force to be reckoned with and an established Parkinson’s advocate. Listen on to hear about his experience finding joy in making music.
https://video.austinpbs.org/video/the-only-day-we-have-qtwu1l/ ("The Only Day We Have" from PBS Austin