Lights, Camera, Parkinson's!

Well, 2 of the 3 episodes of Parkinson's TV that I am in are now live! Warning, if you do not want to hear about the side effects of my medications or my struggles with cyclothymia, please do not watch episode 2. There is something liberating about sitting among medical doctors under TV lighting with cameras pointed at you and admitting you have a mental illness. If I have not told you this prior, it was not because I was embarrassed. I believe that there are times when it is necessary to protect yourself and your family against the ignorance of others. There are, however, also times to speak up and advocate for yourself and your community.

I have done very little to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson's disease. What I have done is talk. It is my strength and my weakness. If I am really going to help others with my story telling skills, I am going to be honest. Here is an offer, if you are a doctor, patient, nonprofit organization, support group, pharmaceutical company and you think that hearing my story will help others, I will be there (schedule permitting).

On a lighter note, the impulse control caused by taking Mirapex, has assisted me in becoming the foremost expert on spring snakes! I really do mean that prank with the snake that jumps out of the peanut can! I was wondering if there really was a way to use this obsession to help others?
My friend Tom gave me a goo idea. I have started to write an eBook on spring snakes. 100% of all sales to the the PS32 PTA.  This book is really meant for magicians, but could be useful to the average practical joker or anyone searching for the best for cheapest spring snake. My snake gun, snake fountain and several methods of launching spring snakes will also be in the book.  I am hoping for a mid December release because  nothing says "holidays" like a near cardiac  episode caused by a fake  serpent shooting out of a fruit cake tin!

Parkinsons TV is Live, Grant Approved, Parkinson's In The News

Parkinson's TV Is Live!
I was proud to be a guest on future episodes of this program! Special thanks to Dr Jori Fleisher for getting me involved.  I will update this blog as future episodes are released!  On a side note, Dr. Fleisher has a future in television, that is if she wants one.
 

Grant Approved!
 For those of you following the news about the study I was involved in our grant was approved!

Dear Dr. Bloem,
I would like to formally congratulate you on being awarded a Parkinson’s Foundation
Advancing Parkinson’s Treatments Award for your proposal, “Developmental of a
Virtual Case Manager for Patients with Parkinson's disease.”

I find it necessary to mention that my part in this study as Parkinson's Advocate In Research is a very small one.  I am, however, I am so pleased to help Dr Bloem and his team in anyway that I can.

 News

Parkinson’s News Today

With the help from the Parkinson’s Foundation and other sources, here are 11 facts about the disease most people don’t know.
Below are two:

How prevalent is it?
Approximately one million people have Parkinson’s disease in the U.S. and there are around 50,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Parkinson’s is expensive. 
Treating patients with Parkinson’s disease costs the U.S. around $25 billion a year. The average patient will need $2,500 worth of medication each year and therapeutic surgery could cost up to $100,000. 

Pod Casts
The Parkinson’s Foundation recently launched its new podcast series, “Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s.” Listen to experts cover the latest in Parkinson's in these 15-minute episodes  http://prn.to/2vpG4i9 

If You Cannot Speak Sing!  
Singing as Therapy: Northern Arizona University’s Choir For People With Parkinson’s Disease

"We get together, and the only thing many of us have in common is music. They often come with very soft, muffled voices, with monotone speech, which is typical of this disorder, but when they sing, they let go and really project their voices, articulate clearly, and move their voices up and down the scale; it’s quite a transformation!"

Take it easy folks, take it easy....

On A Personal Note...
I am doing fine with the exception of one episode of DAWS  (dopamine agonist withdrawal symptoms). At a recent family event, I became clammy and needed to to leave and gets sick.  My apologies to anyone who noticed.  One half a tablet of Mirapex and I was back in the game. As of this Thursday,  I will be off of Mirapex all together. I have mixed feelings about this, however, because while the side effects were bad, the drug did what it was meant to do. I seem to be doing well on carbidopa levodopa, so stay tuned