When Life Gives You Parkinson's

167

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 family, his fellow people with Parkinson’s, 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. Larry is a seasoned broadcaster and the podcast is co-hosted by then-radio personality Niki Reitmayer until 2020 when Larry’s wife Rebecca takes on the role. Special thank you to our partners. Presenting partner is Parkinson Canada, content and promotional partner Spotlight YOPD, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Parkinson’s IQ + You, PD Avengers, World Parkinson Congress #WPC2023 in Barcelona, Spain.

Recent Episodes

Episodes loading...

Recent Reviews

LindsayOT

Great perspective on exercise benefits of PD

I really appreciate the real-time perspective of a person with PD trialing forms of exercise and those experts in the community providing their guidance. Great podcast!
stcgranville

Heartfelt and informative!

This is my favorite Parkinson’s podcast! The series on Larry’s journey with DBS that just concluded gave tremendous insight into the process. Larry and his partner role, model, positivity, and perseverance! A must listen
H Radtke

New to PD

As a new “partner to Parkinsons” this podcast is a godsend as my husband and I process this diagnosis and learn about this new world. Thank you Larry!!!
nequals1

Outstanding resource!!

Thanks to Larry and his guests for creating such an inspiring and insightful collection of stories for people with Parkinson’s disease! Definitely a top, top recommendation for anyone searching for more information and connection. Keep up the great work!
ironysharpensiron

Best Podcast I have ever heard!!!

Ok, so this is only the second Podcast I have ever subscribed to, never mind that, it is still great. It has helped me understand some of the issues Parkinson’s patients and their families are navigating. I am currently in the pre-diagnoses stage of what is likely Young Onset Parkinson’s. This podcast has been entertaining, and educational. Think about that, an entertaining podcast about a degenerative disease. That gives me hope in and of itself. Thank you Larry
Discodump

Love it!

My hubs has Parkinson’s. This pod makes me feel a little less lonely as his care partner. I love that you encourage and instruct others on how to advocate for themselves too.
trump2020fan

Fun and informative

If you or your partner has been newly diagnosed with PD, I would call this a Must. My wife and I look forward to each new episode.
Miked85284

Yeah!!

Larry is great and so are the guests.
Ashtaad

DBS

Hello, Why you don’t talk about DBS? My name is Natalie. I have had PKD for 5 years. I have mild tremor in right hand and my handwriting is affected. My Dr. recommends having DBS installed. But I disagree because I’m functioning well.
dr kristi l

Thank you!

I’m a 41 year old woman diagnosed with PD in May of 2020. I can’t remember how I came across this podcast, but I’m grateful I did. Thank you!
Geocacher278

Amazing Podcast!

I am a 48 year old woman who was just diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I am in shock and trying to grapple with the reality of this disease and what it means for my life and my for my sweet family. In doing some research on PD, I came upon your podcast and I can’t tell you how much it has helped me. It is hopeful, funny, positive and full of wise and science based information. I have loved the interviews and enjoy the interaction between the Gifford’s. Thank you so much for helping to calm my heart and giving me hope that I’m going to be okay. You have also inspired me to get involved with the PD community and I’m excited to learn about how I can be of help. Please keep this podcast going. I will be a regular listener. Thank you!!
Jen Richard 1971

Thank you!

I cannot even begin to tell you thank you!!! Your podcast has been life-changing for me! I don’t know how many times I say yes yes yes when I hear what you were sharing in your podcast. Thank you for all that you’re doing to educate not only people with Parkinson’s but their partners and the medical world as well!
G & Sachs

Thank you Larry and Team

I love this Podcast. I discovered you, Larry, when you were hosting a MJF webinar. You mentioned your podcast and I’ve been listening ever since. My husband was diagnosed in November 2018 at age of 61. He is a reader/researcher, but I love learning about PD on your pod. It is so much more interesting and entertaining, and you can listen while doing other things. Thank you!! Stay well!
Mnsantan

Wish I knew about this sooner

I am 2 years into my Parkinson’s journey. We had the good fortune to hear Larry in person at the Jan 2020 Phoenix PDIQ. Your podcast does a great job of breaking through the noise and the BS to get us Parkies the information we need. I use the podcasts as motivation when I go out for my daily walks. Please keep up the great work. Our best to you Larry as well as Rebecca, Henry and Nicole
MJanineG

Informative

Thankful to find this Podcast. As a healthcare worker it is informative to learn from the Larry, his friends and family. He brings in qualified speakers to further explore topics. The generic drug episode was eye opening and shocking. Keep it up!
Momo1438

Thank You!

So thankful I came upon this podcast. My father was diagnosed less than 10 years ago at the age of about 74. This is all new to us and I’m learning so much from this podcast. I would also like advice into how I can head up fundraisers for research in my town. Thank you for bringing this to the forefront and helping me to understand everything my father is going through.
rford40

Thankful for the Information

This podcast has been very helpful for me to better understand what I am faced with. Larry and his guests do a great job with informing with an easy to listen to format.
akokazaki

EXCELLENT & INFORMATIVE

This is a great series of podcasts, especially for people who are newly diagnosed. We follow the journey of Larry from soon after his diagnosis and how the disease effects him. HIGHLY RECOMMEND to all!
Schwame

Great podcast - very informative!

I've really enjoyed listening to Larry's journey
Floydjam

Great podcast!

Very informative not only for the person with Parkinson’s, but for family and friends to understand more of what they’re going through.
the-big-orange-cow

Great podcast!!!!!!!!

Thank you for doing something I've only dreamed of doing! I dealt with symptoms for 15 years and numerous doctors before my diagnosis in 2013 and a further diagnosis of dopa-responsive Dystonia, when I was 45. I continue to try to live a normal life with this big shaky monkey on my back! My biggest gripe has been the increasing muscle tiredness and constantly changing medication to combat the tremors and Dystonia. Without the dopamine, I am a vegetable. Though it has been tough, I have learned a lot from the Parkinsonism. Your podcast has taught me a bunch and I hope you continue the show throughout the progression of your illness. Thank you again.
Petenewfie

Grateful

Hi Larry I was diagnosed the same time as you were. Your podcasts are a blessing ...look forward to each of them. I am the oldest of 10 and the only one who has PD. Still cant wrap my head around it. I do not talk to my siblings about any of it.
MSU BOY

Episode 5 - Siblings

Larry Thanks so much for having me be part of this episode of your Podcast. That was the most intense and moving conversation we’ve ever had and I’m sad that it took this terrible disease to make that happen. It was great to hear the perspectives all 3 of us had and how similar they were. Also great to hear Becci’s viewpoint. All of this helps us to better understand what you are going through. You are a true inspiration for so many people and you will never know how far your message is reaching. Keep fighting and we will keep praying for you and the whole Parkinson’s community. I miss you and I love you, Dan
😎🤓💩😺

Very informative

A very helpful and informative take on Parkinson’s. It very much helps those of us who don’t see the day to say effects it has on someone or their family. Looking forward to learning much much more
LloydKerns

Very Moving

This podcast will help so many folks remember they are not alone.