Our Parkinson's Life

Barry and Jakkie

Welcome to our new podcast, Our Parkinson’s Life: Laughing, Living, Caring. A gentle, honest, sometimes humorous look at life with Parkinson’s. I’m Barry, I was diagnosed in 2015, and together with Jakkie, my wife and carer, we share the everyday realities of living with Parkinson’s - the challenges, the unexpected moments, and how we find laughter and connection along the way. We also shine a light on carers, an often-overlooked group who can feel isolated and unsupported. Who cares for the carers?

Episodes

  1. 13h ago

    Diagnosis Day. What now?

    Episode 11. Barry and Jakkie remember back to the day Barry was diagnosed, and that feeling of panic.Reliving those days they share five thoughts on what to do, and what not to do, next.

    22 min

  2. Jun 29

    Don't Make a Parkinson's Diagnosis a Life Sentence

    Episode 10. When we receive a diagnosis of Parkinson's, it is very easy to make our world smaller, to withdraw inside ourselves answer to feel things can never be the same again.This reaction is completely understandable. Parkinson's can feel like a life sentence. We watch our friends doing all the things we don't believe we can any longer do. But could we? In their latest podcast Barry and Jakkie explore how we can adapt to a new circumstances and still live a rewarding life.

    18 min

  3. Jun 22

    Pumps, Groups and Carers

    Episode 9. In their latest podcast Barry & Jakkie share their experience to date with the Produedopa pump, reflect on such a warm welcome from their local PD groups and explore the challenges carers face.

    29 min

  4. Jun 16

    All Aboard The Can-Do Train

    Episode 8. Barry and Jakkie explore how waking with a positive or negative mindset determines the day ahead, from living your best life to a downward spiral of negativity. As Barry strives to tackle anxiety, Jakkie recalls a much loved bedtime story from her childhood.

    20 min

  5. Jun 8

    Hot, Hot, Hot!

    Episode 7. Barry wilts, feeling the impact of the hot weather, while Jakkie breezes in fresh from her air-conditioned carers get together.  They discuss the essential need for carers to have breaks, however short.   We return to the challenge of developing a ‘can do’ attitude, a great day together at the County Show and the ease of booking accessible seats for a forthcoming concert.

    12 min

  6. May 26

    A Road Trip, a Pump Update and Addressing the Question ‘Why?’

    Episode 6. Barry & Jakkie explore the reasons for launching ‘Our Parkinson’s Life’, putting ourselves out there, and the difference we hope our podcasts might make. There’s an update on the Produodopa pump, and we report back on our 800 mile road trip and the lessons we learned on the way.

    27 min

  7. May 24

    Highs & Lows

    Episode 5. Barry & Jakkie share how a vibrant and enjoyable Parkinson’s exercise class leaves Barry exhausted next day, consumed by negative thoughts and behaviour. Jakkie, the ‘toughest carer in town’, soon has a solution…

    13 min

  8. May 23

    No Turning Back

    Episode 4. Barry & Jakkie chat about how this progressive disease makes longer-term forward planning essential. Barry shares the challenges he faced when long working hours with travelling becomes impossible, and how he has managed the transition from a busy job to pursuing a variety of hobbies and interests. They also chat through the challenge of adapting and equipping their home for Barry’s future needs led to them choosing to move early to a more suitable property.

    25 min

  9. May 18

    Fitting the Pump, and Fit to Drive

    Episode 3. In the latest episode of our new podcast Jakkie and Barry share the experience of moving to the Produodopa pump after a decade of oral medication. Sometimes brutal struggles through the first two months are followed by a sense of real benefit and progress. Jakkie and Barry also chat about the difficult decision of when Barry should stop driving - a real backward step in maintaining a level of independence.

    27 min

  10. May 13

    Laughing, Living, Caring.

    Episode 2. Together Barry and Jakkie explore three facets of a life with Parkinson’s. How, over ten years on from diagnosis, they still find things to laugh about every day, even in the most unpromising of situations. How a Parkinson’s diagnosis need not be a life sentence, a recognition that every single day is an opportunity to share, discover and explore together. How a Parkinson’s diagnosis is life changing for the carer as well, and how too often this role is taken for granted.

    24 min

  11. May 11

    Pilot - Introducing Barry and Jakkie

    Episode 1. Welcome to our new podcast, Our Parkinson’s Life: Laughing, Living, Caring. A gentle, honest, sometimes humorous look at life with Parkinson’s. I’m Barry, I was diagnosed in 2015, and together with Jakkie, my wife and carer, we share the everyday realities of living with Parkinson’s - the challenges, the unexpected moments, and how we find laughter and connection along the way. We also shine a light on carers, an often-overlooked group who can feel isolated and unsupported. Who cares for the carers?

    22 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Welcome to our new podcast, Our Parkinson’s Life: Laughing, Living, Caring. A gentle, honest, sometimes humorous look at life with Parkinson’s. I’m Barry, I was diagnosed in 2015, and together with Jakkie, my wife and carer, we share the everyday realities of living with Parkinson’s - the challenges, the unexpected moments, and how we find laughter and connection along the way. We also shine a light on carers, an often-overlooked group who can feel isolated and unsupported. Who cares for the carers?

Information

  • Creator
    Barry and Jakkie
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Barry and Jakkie
  • Show Website
    Our Parkinson's Life