When Life Gives You Parkinson’s is an honest, funny and engaging podcast chronicling host Larry Gifford’s personal journey with Parkinson’s disease.
Gifford, his wife Rebecca and their son, Henry live in Vancouver, British Columbia. Gifford has worked as a radio reporter and manager for almost 30 years. On August 17, 2017, Gifford was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 45. A year later, on June 29, 2018, he started recording his podcast. Now in its second season, When Life Gives You Parkinson’s is a first-hand account of what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s disease for Gifford, his family, and other members of the Parkinson’s community.
Along with co-host/producer, Niki Reitmeyer, the episodes in Gifford’s second season are released every second Wednesday, with bonus episodes called “Extra Dosage” in between. He shares his journey with Parkinson’s through conversation with and audio clips of Reitmeyer, his family, medical professionals, experts, and other patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Gifford’s podcast works best when it is honest and personal. In the first episode of season two, “Still Me, But Not The Same”, Gifford shares the changes that he and his family have noticed in him in the past year. Gifford updates listeners on his symptoms, and his wife and son talk candidly about his changing behaviours. Rebecca gives examples of Gifford’s shortened fuse, and 10-year-old Henry tells his dad that his friends are afraid of him. It’s heartbreaking until Gifford asks, “How’s my walking?”, and Henry responds with an over-exaggerated, “Terrible!”
In “Extra Dosage: Fundraising is a Family Affair”, listeners have the opportunity to meet Gifford’s extended family in Pickerington, Ohio. His nephew, Anthony Kerman, 32, is an avid runner who organized a 5K walk/run called “Tremor Trot”. The race raised $8,000 for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Gifford’s family is supportive but worried. Gifford’s mother tells him that she thinks he’s doing too much and she’s worried that he’s never at home with his family.
Gifford’s show is educational too. In the “Extra Dosage” episodes, the podcast highlights a series of free events called “Parkinson’s IQ + You” from The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Gifford will be travelling around the United States to host these events in the coming months.
In “Extra Dosage: Dyskinesia”, the listener learns about dyskinesia. Dyskinesia is uncontrolled, involuntary movements that occur as a reaction to the long-term drug, levodopa. Fellow Parkinson’s patients Jim Smerdon and Becca Miller join Gifford to talk about their experiences with dyskinesia. It’s interesting and informative, but when it’s not relatable to the listener, it’s not as engaging.
The podcast doesn’t advertise products, but there are presenting partners. Parkinson Canada, Spotlight YOPD, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Parkinson’s IQ + You are organizations and events concerned with Parkinson’s disease, and a great match for the target audience. Judging by the reviews, a lot of Gifford’s listeners are people who have Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones.
Gifford and his family have opened up their lives to their listeners. Using humour to diffuse heavy content, Gifford keeps the tone of the podcast positive and light. When Life Gives You Parkinson’s is engaging and relatable, especially when it is about Gifford’s family. In the moments where the podcast becomes more educational, it can sometimes start to lose its audience. All in all, When Life Gives You Parkinson’s is an inspiring and honest podcast which invites the listener to share the experience of living with a family member who has Parkinson’s disease.
