Haseel Bhatt has spent more than 16 years working at the intersection of neurological rehabilitation, research, and education. Early in his career, he began noticing a frustrating gap: research was showing what exercise and specialized rehabilitation could do for people with Parkinson’s, but those findings weren’t always making their way into everyday clinical care. That gap shaped Haseel’s work as a neurological physiotherapist and ultimately led him to found Neurology Rehab. In this episode, he joins Gaia to explore what Parkinson’s rehabilitation should actually look like, from understanding freezing of gait and finding alternative pathways to movement to asking better questions of the professionals responsible for your care. Haseel also challenges people with Parkinson’s to take a more active role in rehabilitation. Why are you doing this exercise? Why are you on the treadmill? How will this translate into your everyday life? His advice is simple: interview your healthcare team. Along the way, Gaia and Haseel explore caregivers, mental health, stigma, individualized rehabilitation, and why living with a neurodegenerative condition does not mean improvement is impossible. WHAT WE COVER: What actually happens when someone with Parkinson’s experiences freezing of gaitHaseel’s “blocked highway” analogy and how visual, auditory, and movement cues can help create another route to movementWhy Parkinson’s rehabilitation needs to be individualized rather than built around a one-size-fits-all approachWhy Haseel encourages people with Parkinson’s to interview their healthcare team and understand the purpose behind their rehabilitationHow exercise has evolved from an optional recommendation to a core part of Parkinson’s managementWhy confidence, mental health, and the right support system matter alongside physical rehabilitationThe often overlooked experience of spouses, family members, and caregivers, and why simply asking “How are you doing?” mattersHow education can help address misinformation and stigma surrounding neurological conditions, including FNDWhy Haseel questions whether Parkinson’s is best understood as one “disease” when every person can experience such a different combination of symptomsWhy things can improve with Parkinson’s, even in the presence of a neurodegenerative condition WHAT’S NEXT: 📧 Join our newsletter: Get Parkinson’s research, practical strategies, expert insights, and updates from Parkinson’s Performance Centre delivered straight to your inbox. 🏋️ Train Like An Athlete: Gaia’s work at Parkinson’s Performance Centre, and her belief that people with Parkinson’s can train like athletes, was the inspiration behind the Like An Athlete, Not A Patient podcast. If you’re interested in learning more about Gaia’s program and how PPC helps people with Parkinson’s train with purpose, explore the program HERE. STAY CONNECTED WITH US: Instagram: @gaia.forlani.ppcFacebook: Gaia Forlani SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode changed the way you think about Parkinson’s rehabilitation and the role you can play in your own care, subscribe to Like An Athlete, Not A Patient and leave a review. It helps more people with Parkinson’s, their families, caregivers, and the professionals supporting them discover these conversations.
