Shows
My journey with Parkinson'sContinence - A wee problem and a poemInspired by my going to a talk about continence today, I thought I would write a wee (get it) poem about the subject.2025-06-0902 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWhat is love? - Episode 97Thoughts on love in many forms.2025-06-0807 minMy journey with Parkinson'sAn older person is a person too - Episode 96Another wee poem about ageing.2025-06-0101 minMy journey with Parkinson'sContinence and other joys - Episode 95Just a wee short poem about ageing.2025-06-0101 minMy journey with Parkinson'sSometimes being negative can be positive - Episode 94For me, it's all about being honest. About not feeling I have to be positive and cheerful all the time. Who could be with this condition? Owning the days when it is all a bit much and getting on with it, not with false positivity, but with honesty.2025-05-2708 minMy journey with Parkinson'sYears in your life or life in your years? - Episode 93It's time for the bucket list. Time to plan and do the things that we have always wanted to do. To not put it off to tomorrow for tomorrow may never come.2025-05-2410 minMy journey with Parkinson'sDiet for health or Diet for weight loss? - Episode 92Some thoughts on the importance of a healthy diet, not just for weight loss, but for general health and wellbeing.2025-05-2107 minMy journey with Parkinson'sIs it fate or is it destiny - Episode 91What do you choose for your life? If we are fated to take this path, how can we take some positives from it to lead a better life? What influences both positive and not have shaped who we are today. It may be fate, but what can we take control of?2025-05-1812 minMy journey with Parkinson'sSome Travel Tips to make life easier - Episode 90A few handy hints to make travelling easier with a disability.2025-05-0909 minMy journey with Parkinson'sA weighty problem (what will they think of me?) - Episode 89Being significantly overweight at the moment I am feeling self-conscious. Is my evil little brain telling me to enjoy being overweight because I will lose weight with Parkinson's in the future? Logical me might scoff at that, but perhaps it is a factor?2025-05-0309 minMy journey with Parkinson'sComplex Comorbidities Continue - Episode 88When you have a number of health issues, they tend to cause some confusion when a new symptom arises. Is it in relation to conditions already known or perhaps something new is starting up. It can be a very confusing situation.2025-04-2907 minMy journey with Parkinson'sSpeech Language Therapy and Parkinson's - An interview - Episode 87This is an interesting interview with Kirstie, a well-respected Speech Language Therapist in Christchurch. I have had the benefit of her expertise both as a colleague and as a person with Parkinson's. Speechies - as we called them on the ward - can make an incredible difference in the lives of people they work with. The interview gives a lot of useful information about how a person with Parkinson's could benefit from their input,2025-04-2448 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWaiting at the 'After Hours' a Podcast and a poem - Episode 86For once in my household it was my husband, not me that needed to be checked out at 'After Hours'. All is well, after a long wait, so to fill in the five hours we were there, I was inspired to write a poem.I hope you like it.2025-04-1903 minMy journey with Parkinson'sComorbidities confusing cause - Episode 85When you have a bunch of different health issues - ie. Comorbidities - it is sometimes difficult to know the cause of a new ache or pain and/or who to talk to about it! The risk of course is that we just shrug our shoulders and think it must be related to Parkinson's when it may be something else entirely and treatable!2025-04-1011 minMy journey with Parkinson'sPerfection is over-rated and Should and Shouldisms - Episode 84Striving for perfection is not something I consciously do, however much my previous boss used to call me a perfectionist! Instead, I strive to be the best that I can be and that is not likely to be perfect. Sometimes there is beauty in imperfection.2025-04-0809 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWhere is the little boy - a poem Episode 83This is a poem that reminds us that the elderly person sitting in a chair before has a life and a history. I wrote this quite a few years ago now, but I was reminded of it when thinking about telling our stories.2025-04-0602 minMy journey with Parkinson'sTell your story before it's too late - Episode 82I have edited this down from the last download as the first draft was a bit long. The edit is a bit clumsy in places, but hopefully the revised content will be better and not so rambling...We all have a story to tell, but perhaps we think that no-one would be interested in our very normal lives. But, how many of us now wish we had asked our parents more about their earlier lives? Then, all of a sudden it's too late. Let's share our stories, so that future generations can know who...2025-04-0607 minMy journey with Parkinson'sHang on to hope - Never say never - Episode 81A beloved cat turns up after three years. What next?2025-03-3106 minMy journey with Parkinson'sDon't wait for a special occasion - Episode 80When asked if we were going out for dinner for a special occasion, we responded that we just wanted to go out for dinner together, no 'special' occasion. When I stopped and thought about it though, I realised that just being together makes an occasion special. This podcast is about what makes occasions special and memorable for me.2025-03-2912 minMy journey with Parkinson'sI am the old woman - A poem - Episode 79Just a light hearted look at realising that I am an old woman. Grey hair, arthritis and a walking stick all point to that being the case! I hope you enjoy my latest poem. Poking fun at myself as I often do.2025-03-2803 minMy journey with Parkinson'sMy teenage crushes - reminiscing Episode 78Feeling nostalgic and listening to songs I haven't listened to in years. Also, some songs and artists that have stayed with me always. My most loved is "I am Woman" by Helen Reddy. I have put the words on my blog.2025-03-2706 minMy journey with Parkinson'sParkinson's Brave - A poem - Episode 77Just a wee poem I wrote today about being brave.2025-03-2501 minMy journey with Parkinson'sBeing Brave Again - Episode 76Just some thoughts on being brave. It's something we all try to be, I'm sure. Not always easy with the hand we've been dealt.2025-03-2511 minMy journey with Parkinson'sKeeping up with language and meaning - Episode 75Every age and stage, every era has it's own language and popular culture. This can make communication challenging at times. But an awareness that this is the case and a willingness to learn from each other can mitigate the effects of the language communication barrier.2025-03-2207 minMy journey with Parkinson'sDon't wrap me in cotton wool - Episode 74Sometimes there's a fine line between supporting someone and making decisions for them. Even out of kindness, to protect someone you love, this can be difficult when on the receiving end. I know we will lose the capacity to decide to do things at some point, but we all need to discuss and be part of the decision-making process. Even the most loving partner doesn't always get it right and neither do we!2025-03-2209 minMy journey with Parkinson'sBoom and Bust - Episode 73Some advice from my experience of many operations that I have needed to recover from. It might help you not to make the same mistakes I have in the past!2025-03-2206 minMy journey with Parkinson'sTo medicate or not to medicate that is the question - Episode 72Reading various posts on FB and other media, there is always quite a lot of discussion about medication and when or if to start medications for Parkinson's. I chose to have medications from the day of diagnosis and it has definitely been of benefit.2025-03-1808 minMy journey with Parkinson'sLets talk about memory, dementia and ski holidays - Episode 71A rather eclectic mix but loosely tied together with the thread of memory. There is a difference of course between memory when it is applied to day-to-day tasks and memories of time spent with those we love. Those special moments are the ones that we all want to hang onto.2025-03-1610 minMy journey with Parkinson'sA quote from the podcast on Elder Abuse - Episode 70This is a quote from Greta Bond who speaks from the heart about supporting people as they age.2025-03-1400 minMy journey with Parkinson'sSome thoughts on ageing - Episode 69Some thoughts on ageing and peoples' reaction to those of us with grey hair. For some to be aged is to be reduced in worth and not seen as a person with a life lived who still has much to give.2025-03-1310 minMy journey with Parkinson'sAn interview with Greta Bond, Age Concern re Elder Abuse - Episode 68Despite some technical hitches - I sound like I'm in a tunnel at times - this is a great interview. Greta is passionate about the work that she does and that shows. Well worth a listen.2025-03-1235 minMy journey with Parkinson'sGreta Bond CEO, Age Concern Canterbury - Interview Episode 67Greta was a wonderful source of information about the services Age Concern provides. There will be another interview to follow in relation to Age Concern's involvement with Elder Abuse and how they can support people in this regard.2025-03-1219 minMy journey with Parkinson'sA health stocktake - Episode 66Just checking in with myself today in this my fifth year post diagnosis and looking at what symptoms I have. 2025-03-0809 minMy journey with Parkinson'sI've been watching you... A poem - Episode 65Just a wee poem I wrote the other day about my inability to get back to bowls just yet. I can't wait till September when I am recovered and fitter and can play once more.2025-03-0802 minMy journey with Parkinson'sSeeing your GP, Specialist or Physio/Allied Health - Episode 64For those of us whose lives are affected by Parkinson's, the trips to see the GP, Specialist or Allied Health are very important. It can sometimes be difficult to remember the questions we have for them. This podcast is about strategies to help with that.2025-03-0509 minMy journey with Parkinson'sInterview with Linda - MS & Parkinson's - Episode 63Support is incredibly important when you have a condition such as MS or Parkinson's. This is a conversation with Linda who works at MS & Parkinson's in Canterbury. She talks about her role and the supports and services the organization provides in Christchurch.Make sure you check out what supports are available in your area if in NZ, or in your country if listening to this from other countries.2025-03-0536 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWhen is old, old? - Episode 62Just some thoughts of how various health conditions - including Parkinson's - impact on us and whether we are an 'old 64 year old' or a 'young 64 year old' as in my case. The number that is attached to us chronologically does not necessarily reflect our true selves and our age as there are a number of factors that come into play.2025-03-0413 minMy journey with Parkinson'sFarewell to my shiny red e-bike - Episode 61Well, today was the sad day I said goodbye to my shiny red e-bike. I so enjoyed riding it, but I need to minimise risk. The sadness was lessened somewhat by the new owner's absolute joy in having bought herself my lovely bike. So nice that I could make someone else so happy.2025-03-0305 minMy journey with Parkinson'sTrying to be a patient patient - Episode 60Some thoughts on my Parkinson's after my operation. I wonder if the anaesthetic impacted on my Parkinson's.2025-03-0112 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWe can pat ourselves on the back - Episode 59Just a few thoughts about the culture I was brought up in where it was not done to 'blow your own trumpet'. I think with the complexity of this life with Parkinson's, we should celebrate when we have done well!2025-02-2611 minMy journey with Parkinson'sMy caring husband - not my carer - An interview Episode 58As I called for other people with Parkinson's to come forward for an interview and to be heard, to start things off I interviewed my husband Ade.It was a great experience to hear from him publicly supporting me in my endeavours and also heartening to hear he acknowledges he needs support too!It was fun to do this interview and I would love to do more.2025-02-2335 minMy journey with Parkinson'sPodcasts - anyone keen on being interviewed? Episode 57Following on from my blog I have written for the past four years and which I have now written over 600 posts, I decided to try my hand at podcasting. One of the reasons was I wanted the opportunity to interview people. Have a wee listen and see what you think.2025-02-2207 minMy journey with Parkinson'sProgression and impressions and looking to a brighter future - Episode 56I am at home now recovering from back surgery. It's hard to sit, or stand, or lie down or basically take any position for too long, so writing this is done in snippets!Feeling in a reflective move today.2025-02-2011 minMy journey with Parkinson'sThis might help you, I know it helped me! Episode 55Thank you for checking out my podcasts. This is a relatively new venture for me and an expansion of my Blog 'Parkies and me - my journey with Parkinson's' I started writing the blog about a month after my diagnosis and I look back now and I am so much more settled than I was at the beginning. So, if you are new to my podcasts and would like to check out my blog - which has probably about 300 posts - going back to the beginning opened my eyes about how raw and scary everything...2025-02-2004 minMy journey with Parkinson'sSome future proofing thoughts - Episode 54I have talked about this before in my blog. Discussing how we made the decision that the time was right to move into a single storey smaller home. For me, there is so little that I/We can control in this journey, even if we exercise etc, that I felt that I needed to have input into when we changed houses and to be fully involved in the choosing of a new home. Time and my health have proven that this has been the right move.2025-02-1810 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWe are not 'us' at the moment - Episode 53A bit of a sad, reflective post today. But that is what this podcast and my blog have been created for. Not just for the happy times, but also the bare reality of being a person with Parkinson's and other health issues. It is also my acknowledgement, that it is not just me that is affected, it also profoundly affects my husband. He is my rock and my life and I wouldn't want to be without him.2025-02-1611 minMy journey with Parkinson'sAccepting our limits as we age - Episode 52This title may sound defeatist or downbeat at first reading. It is not meant to sound that way. It is, however, my acknowledgement of what my body needs from me to carry me through the rest of my life. To take unnecessary risks and worry my husband and all who love me, would be irresponsible. I want to be able to spend many years yet with all of them and therefore am prepared to modify some of my expectations. There is, however, still much joy to be had in life.2025-02-1414 minMy journey with Parkinson'sSocial Work ears - Episode 51Some musings from my time in hospital2025-02-1207 minMy journey with Parkinson'sJust a small prick - Episode 50Woohoo! I have made it to 50 podcasts. Pretty good going I say! I hope you enjoy this one. It is the first of the podcasts that came to me whilst in hospital for an operation on my back. I had lots of time to think and lots to experience, so have a few lined up. Hope you enjoy this one.2025-02-1206 minMy journey with Parkinson'sMemories are marvellous - Episode 49Just a few thoughts on memories and what can spark them for me. There are lots of things, music, smells, tastes all sorts of ways that memories can be triggered.2025-02-1107 minMy journey with Parkinson'sShop to shop hopping - A poem - Episode 48Just returned from surgery and just on a week in hospital. Working things up gently, so short podcasts in the interim, as pain permits. This one is about my cousin and I and shopping of course!2025-02-1002 minMy journey with Parkinson'sPride goeth before a fall - Episode 47Thinking about my operation on Monday and getting ready. Hair done. Shaved my legs and pits. New Pyjamas purchased. All coming together. There is a possibility that I may go to the hospital where I was working up until May last year. Just checking in with myself about how I feel about that.2025-02-0108 minMy journey with Parkinson'sThe Bloodsucker's Curse - Episode 46I don't know why I have never in all these years thought to write a poem about the nightmare that is my giving a blood sample. I have defeated many a cocky phlebotomist (nothing rhymes with that) and I smile quietly to myself when anyone rocks on up expecting to get blood off me.
I hope you enjoy this poem. It made me laugh! 2025-01-3103 minMy journey with Parkinson'sHospital, Health and Harrahs -Episode 45Another silly poem to lighten my mood as I nervously await my surgery on Monday. Feeling a bit stressed, I admit. The Harrah bit is after a term my husband and I use, which is 'the last Harrah'. This is when we are starting a diet the next day and so we might treat ourselves to 'a last Harrah' before we diet!
I hope you enjoy it.2025-01-3003 minMy journey with Parkinson'sThe evolution of underwear (A poem) - Episode 44I mistakenly bought a pack of women's full briefs. I had thought I was my normal knickers and got home and found that I had bought knickers like my mother used to wear. I was going to take them back, but I thought I might try them on and they were so comfortable! So, it's official I am wearing Nanna knickers!
Just a silly little poem .
Sometimes you just need a bit of silliness when you are anxious.2025-01-3001 minMy journey with Parkinson'sShopportunity - Episode 43I think sometimes when you are trying not to think too deeply about an uncertain future, there is much to be said for looking back with fondness. My cousin and I got together to clear out my wardrobe and we had fun talking about shared memories. Just the thing, when you are trying not to think about an operation in a few days. Shoppertunity - I explain this word and it's origins, but it is a wee bit of fun and don't we all need a bit of fun now and again?2025-01-2810 minMy journey with Parkinson'sPutting my house in order - Episode 42Just a few thoughts and things to do before I have surgery on Monday 3/2. As someone who is very much a planner, I like to know that I have planned as much as I can for my surgery and recovery and any unplanned complications. These thoughts may interest you too and covers some basics like Wills and Enduring Power of Attorney and some other useful stuff.2025-01-2712 minMy journey with Parkinson'sAnything goes - A poem podcast - Episode 41A brief poem written by me for a change of pace. Because life isn't all about Parkinson's and life is too short not to take time out for the silly things in life.2025-01-2702 minMy journey with Parkinson'sProperty Administrator or Property Manager - Whats the difference? - Episode 40Welcome back Louise Taylor, Lawyer with some really useful information regarding Property Administration vs Property Manager.
What is the difference?
What are the responsibilities?2025-01-2529 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWhen EPOA goes wrong - Episode 39Louise Taylor joins us again to talk about 'when EPOA goes wrong'
As ever, this is an engaging interview with a very experienced and down to earth lawyer, who conveys important legal information in an approachable way.
2025-01-2525 minMy journey with Parkinson'sBe a legend in your own lunchtime - Episode 38This was a saying in our family growing up. It sounds far less grand than being a legend in your lifetime!
This podcast episode has come about because I have started interviewing people for the podcast series. They have been professional people talking about 'legal stuff' and 'other stuff'.
Then this morning I was thinking about who else it would be good to interview, who people finding this podcast might want to listen to. Then I had a lightbulb moment. Ordinary people! Ordinary people coping with Parkinson's.2025-01-2509 minMy journey with Parkinson'sI'm a hugger - Is this a Parkies thing? - Episode 37I've noticed over the past year or so I have become more of a hugger. As someone who almost never got hugs growing up, this is an interesting thing. I was always a giver of hugs, but mostly to my husband and children and grandchildren. So, here's my thoughts on hugs!2025-01-2106 minMy journey with Parkinson'sI love my husband - A poem not about Parkinson's! - Episode 36Every now and then, I like to step away from writing and thinking about Parkinson's and write a poem and share it. This poem was inspired by a chat to my cousin Kat. 2025-01-2002 minMy journey with Parkinson'sFor Parkinson's - A hidden issue - Episode 35I've written about this issue before in my Blog. Having a condition that is not necessarily visible at first, can make it challenging for both the person with the diagnosis and those that seek to support them. Especially in the early days, it can be difficult for people to realise that a person with Parkinson's has any issues. If they present as independently mobile, drive a car, can get up steps and all in all seems to be able to function alone in the community. However, they may have hidden issues that aren't immediately obvious. Not being obvious, doesn't...2025-01-1909 minMy journey with Parkinson'sThere are no experts in Parkinson's - Oh yes there are - Episode 34I read on another person's blog 'there are no experts in Parkinson's'
I beg to differ.
Those of us with Parkinsons' and those that support us, are experts in our own journey with Parkinson's.2025-01-1809 minMy journey with Parkinson'sActs of service - love in a fruitcake - Episode 33Sometimes those three little words - I love you - can be difficult for people to say. Notice the things that they do for you, big or small and they may just be their way of saying it without saying it. I think you'll like 'love in a fruitcake'2025-01-1605 minMy journey with Parkinson'sTears for Breakfast - Episode 32I had a bit of a blue day yesterday, so this reflects that mood. In line with my intentions to always be authentic and real, I will post even when the mood is not the best.
We all get that sometimes don't we?2025-01-1504 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWhy I think I'm qualified to talk about Parkinson's - Episode 31This podcast gives some background to me as a podcaster and why I feel I am qualified to talk about Parkinsons.2025-01-1306 minMy journey with Parkinson'sMaybe I've been a bit harsh - Episode 31A lesson in judgements that we can all be guilty of. 2025-01-1205 minMy journey with Parkinson'sParkinson's peculiarities or Morphine madness - Episode 30Just in a reflective mood and that shows in this podcast, where it's not as upbeat as most others have been. I wrote it a couple of days ago and it does sound a bit flat, but I figure that's the real me in the moment. Lot's going on right now!2025-01-1110 minMy journey with Parkinson'sCulling my Facebook friends - nothing beats a real hug - Episode 29Social media is all very well, but sometimes I think it causes us to be lazy. Giving a hug emoji when someone is going through stuff, is nothing compared to coming round and giving a real hug. If you are in the same town and a hug emoji is the sum total of your support? Not doing it for me, I'm afraid.
So, this is a podcast with an emotional bit in amongst it, where I am actually crying due to a memory of a huge thing my eldest brother did for me. I always said I...2025-01-0811 minMy journey with Parkinson'sA bucket of joy - not a bucket list - Episode 28I was in a reflective mood this afternoon and thought about 'Bucket Lists' and how people sometimes create one when they are told they have little time left to live.
I decided to have a 'bucket of joy' instead, filled with my memories.2025-01-0613 minMy journey with Parkinson'sThe weird things you need to know about me - Episode 27I think we all have weird things that we prefer in life. Like my sandwiches have to be cut corner to corner or they are not right. Or, the toilet roll. Some people are quite passionate about how they like it. Rolling over the top? Of course the only way it should go!!! Or rolling down the wall. Wrong absolutely wrong!
When a person goes into care, preferences for 'silly little things' or 'weird things' might be the only thing they can control, so they take on a whole new importance.2025-01-0511 minMy journey with Parkinson'sI pity those who support me - Episode 26Why I pity those....?
Well, I know I must be difficult to live with. For oh so many reasons, but Parkies is certainly one of them. One minute I am saying 'I need my independence and to try to do things for myself!' Next minute, I find myself saying 'Why didn't you help me?' Who of us can identify with that!
This is also an acknowledgement of the special people who are there for us, even though we may be difficult souls at times!2025-01-0307 minMy journey with Parkinson'sTwo poems - 'Where is the little boy?' and 'Have you seen your mother naked?' - Episode 25As the names suggest, these are two quite different poems. As they are short I thought I would record them together. I wonder if at the end of the first poem, you can tell me where the little boy is?
I hope you enjoy them both, they both make me smile for different reasons.
Thank you for following me.2025-01-0204 minMy journey with Parkinson'sPods and Blogs and Odds and Sods - Episode 24This is a podcast inspired by my seeking information about what structure people usually have for their podcasts. How many series, how many episodes etc. To give me an idea of how I might structure my podcast. I came out of my brief investigations realising that I cannot be constrained by 'shouldisms' or what others think is the ideal. This podcast is about me and my life with Parkinsons, but equally about my life that is not about Parkinsons. It will have variety, it may be somewhat unpredictable, but I hope that is what makes it tuning in to...2025-01-0108 minMy journey with Parkinson'sLegal Stuff - Enduring Powers of Attorney - Episode 23Hi, this is the second interview with Louise Taylor, a well-respected lawyer whom I have known for several years. It emphasises the importance of a Will and the reasons for this.
Note that the information contained in this podcast is relevant to a New Zealand context and may be different in other countries. It would pay to check with your lawyer, if you have one for advice regarding whether there is an equivalent option in the country in which you reside.2024-12-3119 minMy journey with Parkinson'sLegal Stuff - Wills - Episode 22Welcome to my first interview on My Journey with Parkinson's. The interview is with a well-respected lawyer, Louise Taylor who I have known for several years now. She gives some excellent advise on Wills in this session and it is well worth listening to. A point to note, however, is that the advice is given in a New Zealand context and may not apply in other countries. It would pay to check these things with your lawyer if you have one. Whatever your local situation, Wills are incredibly important.2024-12-3118 minMy journey with Parkinson'sTo my love - Episode 21 - a poemA sentimental poem this time. Written some time ago, when I was neither old, nor gray.2024-12-2901 minMy journey with Parkinson'sNow I'm retired - a poem - Episode 20I wrote this poem shortly after retiring. It felt so free to be able to have control of my life, with no boss telling me what to do, my time was my own. Given the health issues that have plagued me, it is not unlikely that I would have been forced into retirement, but luckily I was able to decide when it suited me not what suited others.2024-12-2901 minMy journey with Parkinson'sThe next generation - Episode 19Spending time with my children and grandchildren this Christmas, gave me an opportunity to see what my children and grandchildren might want in the way of items I have treasured when I am no longer here. The girls chose vases that I have collected so they can put a flower in them to remember me. Talking about what value is placed on things we have treasured and sharing the stories that make them precious.2024-12-2907 minMy journey with Parkinson'sPerfect imperfection and Parkies - Episode 18I have never strived for perfection. Instead, I have tried to be the best I can and that can change moment to moment, day to day and hour to hour. It would be easy to give up and just accept that we can no longer do some of the things in our lives that may have become difficult. Instead I try to do at least a part of something. For instance, I may not be up to a six hour tramping trip, but might be able to work up to one hour, then two hours and more if I...2024-12-2707 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWho am I? - Episode 17Another poem. This time, about identity. Who we are, and how we are seen can have a huge impact on our sense of self.2024-12-2601 minMy journey with Parkinson'sPills, pills, pills - A poem - Episode 16This is a poem that many will identify with. The endless amount of pills we seem to be prescribed will be familiar to many I'm sure.2024-12-2601 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWhat do we leave our children? Memories, Money and Mayhem - Episode 15Sharing Christmas with my two children, my daughter-in-law and my six grandchildren. Reflecting on what I might pass on to them one day and telling them the history behind some of the 'junk' in my china cabinet. It brought home to me, that there is no reason why they should feel inclined to keep any of it, without knowing the stories that go with some of the items. So, I will write down the stories, so that they can be passed on with the items they choose to retain.2024-12-2512 minMy journey with Parkinson'sChristmas 2024 - Episode 14I thought I would write a quick poem about Christmas to share with you. I hope you like it.
I'd love to hear your comments on this or any of my podcasts.2024-12-2102 minMy journey with Parkinson'sI have a confession to make - Episode 13A conversation with my husband yesterday made me think about my future and when I might have to face leaving this home and my husband. I hope that is many years in the future. But, it made me think about all the conversations I had over 20 years as a Social Worker and now the tables are turned. I get it now! It's no longer me doing a job - which I did care about - but it is about being on the other side of things and what that realisation felt like.
2024-12-1905 minMy journey with Parkinson'sGoing down memory lane - Episode 12This is one of the podcasts that doesn't directly relate to Parkinson's itself perhaps, but in a way everything in life is affected by having this condition isn't it! I was feeling in a reflective mood with Christmas fast approaching and some memories came back to me from when my children were young . It was nice strolling down memory lane and a simpler time.2024-12-1908 minMy journey with Parkinson's'Ode to shopping for shoes and finding a mate - a poem' - Episode 11I wrote this many years ago as part of my degree course. Internet dating was very new at the time and I was on a dating site myself. So, I wrote this poem. I hope you enjoy it.2024-12-1804 minMy journey with Parkinson's'What's precious?' - Episode 10How do we know what is precious, if we don't ask and how can we be annoyed/angry at someone who couldn't possibly know that it is more than just a thing!?
Inspired by something that happened in hospital when about to have an x-ray. A necklace was grabbed that had huge significance for me, but how was that person to know?2024-12-1804 minMy journey with Parkinson'sMy 4th Anniversary with Parkinson's - Episode 9On 15/12/2020 I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. It has changed my life in so many ways, while I remain a 'slow burner' as it hasn't made me deteriorate in my functioning much at all.2024-12-1508 minMy journey with Parkinson'sChristmas, 'Loved Ones' and Parkies Anniversaries - Chapter 8In this podcast I talk about Christmas and an awareness that it is not always a happy time for people. Also, the term 'Loved Ones' that I have always detested and why. I also acknowledged that in two days time it is my Parkies Anniversary of 4 years since diagnosis on 15/12/2020.2024-12-1306 minMy journey with Parkinson'sParty Priorities - Men vs Women Episode 7This is one of many poems I have written over time. I have been writing poetry since I was 5 years old. Strangely, since being diagnosed with Parkinson's I have been able to write more poetry and of a higher standard than ever before. I have read that Parkinson's or Parkies can enhance any artistic abilities a person may have and it certainly has been the case for me. This poem is very tongue in cheek and very biased in the direction of women, of which I am one of course! I hope you will receive it in the spirit...2024-12-1205 minMy journey with Parkinson'sDucking and Diving and Downright hiding - Episode 6I am using a walker due to pain issues with a back injury. I hate it if I think people think my Parkies has progressed. I don't know why, there is no logic to this, but I do! So, this is a funny incident that happened because of that. My mobility issues are nothing to do with Parkinson's.2024-12-1203 minMy journey with Parkinson'sSometimes it's hard to socialise - Episode 5I've been retired since early May this year. So, I am at home on my own much more. I am trying to keep busy, but with my pain issues that's not always easy. 2024-12-1005 minMy journey with Parkinson'sWhere am I now - four years on from diagnosis? - Episode 1It's always good to stop and review how things are going I think. To take a step back and ask yourself how life is from time to time. Am I still doing and achieving the things I wanted to at this stage in my journey?2024-12-0801 minMy journey with Parkinson'sMaking memories - Episode 3 PodcastOne of the things that was important to me when I was diagnosed was a sense that I didn't want to waste any time that I had and I wanted to spend more time with those I loved. We made a conscious effort to make plans to visit family, both here in NZ and overseas.2024-12-0806 minMy journey with Parkinson'sDiscussing the future - Episode 4One topic that comes up often when talking to newly diagnosed people, is have they discussed the future with anyone close to them. They can present at hospital later on in their journey without the subject of the future ever being broached.
Note: This is a replacement for a previously recorded episode, one of my first. The quality was poor and hopefully, this new episode is much clearer.
2024-12-0808 minMy journey with Parkinson'sMy road to diagnosis and who did you tell? - Episode 2I am a second generation person with Parkinson's . Both my parents had it and so I grew up knowing about this condition. I started a blog to help me process what was happening for me and hopefully to help others. Now, I want to make some podcasts as another way to reach people. I will continue with a similar work to my blog, in that my life is not just about Parkinson's and so I talk also about other aspects of my life from time to time. Also, as a recently retired Social Worker working in neurology, I have...2024-12-0803 min
SeedsSue Waight on choosing not to be a victim and speaking up for those who need support through the Canterbury West Coast Welfare Guardian TrustSue Waight shared her life journey with us on this episode and I really appreciated her attitude which shown through - choosing not to be a victim but instead take difficult circumstances and learn from them to help others. "I felt I had two choices, I could either be a victim and let that keep me down, or I could use that experience as a positive way to move forward with my life - and I chose the latter." We also find out a lot about the Canterbury West Coast Welfare Guardian Trust and the work it is doing (se...2023-07-2943 min