My journey with Parkinson's

I 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 ar...

I 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 b...

Just 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.

A 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.

Welcome back Louise Taylor, Lawyer with some really useful information regarding Property Administration vs Property Manager. What is the difference? What are the responsibilities?

Louise 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.

This 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 fi...

I'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!

Every 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.

I'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 u...

I 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.

Sometimes 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'

I 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?

This podcast gives some background to me as a podcaster and why I feel I am qualified to talk about Parkinsons.

A lesson in judgements that we can all be guilty of.

Just 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!

Social 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 m...

I 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.

I 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 th...

Why 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...

As 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.

This 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 equa...

Hi, 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...

Welcome 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...

A sentimental poem this time. Written some time ago, when I was neither old, nor gray.