Dave Iverson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2004. He is a founding member of The Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF) Patient Council and was the first host of the MJFF Parkinson’s Podcast. We caught up at a patient council meeting in New York City to chat about his new book “Winter Stars.”
Parkinson’s runs deep in Dave’s family, but this book is not strictly about Parkinson’s. It’s about family, life choices and a bone between a mother and son.
At the age of 59, having spent nearly forty years in public broadcasting, Dave paused his career. His 95-year old mother had a rough bout with pneumonia and couldn’t care for herself anymore. So, he paused his career, moved in with her and became her caregiving.
That decision resulted in a decade of self-discovery, an odyssey that forced Dave to come face to face with his personal weaknesses and uncharacteristic anger, while strengthening the bond to his mother and learning to live with, learn from and love dementia.
Winter Stars by Dave Iverson is available wherever you buy your books.
EMAIL Larry and Rebecca: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.ca
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KEY LINKS
“Winter Stars” by Dave Iverson – Sample Chapters, Listen to an Excerpt, Read Reviews, and Purchase
My Father, My Brother and Me – Watch Dave Iverson’s FRONTLINE documentary online.
Capturing Grace – Homepage for Dave Iverson’s film about Parkinson’s and Dance.
Care Partner Resources
PARKINSON CANADA
Care Partnering Home Page – Access the free care partner book, self-assessment guide, care partner burden calculator, home safety evaluation, activities of daily living, daily needs and routine tracker, Parkinson’s disease daily diary, and a “What-if” planning tool.
MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION
Care Partner Guide – “You, Your Loved One and Parkinson’s Disease” FREE DOWNLOAD from The Michael J Fox Foundation
Caregiving and Parkinson’s “Ask the MD” – The Michael J Fox Foundation’s Dr. Rachel Dolhun offers insight and advice to Care Partners in this four-minute video.
PARKINSON’S FOUNDATION
Care Partner Resources – Early in the Journey to Advanced Parkinson’s, getting outside help, Hotlines, government agency contacts, medication and financial assistance, and end of life planning.
AMERICAN PARKINSON’S DISEASE ASSOCIATION (APDA)
Care Partner Resources
PARKINSON’S UK
Care Partner Resources
European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA)
Caring and Parkinson’s Resource Page
WRITING WORKSHOP
Tightrope Theatre - Rebecca Gifford’s online virtual writing workshop “Express Yourself” is open to everyone from anywhere. The six-week course begins in September 2022 and is open for registration through Tightrope Theatre.
Thanks to
Dila Velazquez – Story Producer
Greg Schott – Sound Design
Our Promotional Partners include:
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.
Thanks also to our content and promotional partners
The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford as featured in the MJFF2021 Year in Review.
PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us.
World Parkinson Congress 2023 – It’s time to start thinking about making your plans to join us for #WPC2023 in Barcelona, Spain for the sixth triennial congress.
Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.
My husband has Parkinson’s disease, he is about 63 years old it was diagnosed 2 years ago. It was getting more difficult to live for him, because of stiff muscles he couldn’t even move. Mirapex and levodopa medicines were given, but didn’t give much relief. He couldn’t eat food without choking. I thought this might be the last stage and the medications he was given did not help at all, so I started to do alot of research on Ayurveda treatments, I was introduced to Health Natural Centre and their Parkinson’s Ayurveda Protocol. He started on the Ayurveda Treatment last year, his symptoms gradually diminished including his vocal cord spasm, Muscle Weakness, Tremors and Difficulty with swallowing. Reach them at naturalherbscentre.com , he is getting active again since starting this treatment, he is able to walk again ( down the street and back ) he has also resumed exercising to strengthen muscles!! God Bless all PD Caregivers. Stay Strong, take small moments throughout the day to thank yo
I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease since 2010, by the VA. I found that none of the current medications worked (side effects for me). I currently take pramipexole dihydrochloride three times daily. It isn’t working well neither. I still have some tremors. Was on carbidopa levodopa but only lasted 90 minutes then wore off. Down side of carbidopa is after reaching max dosage it will no longer give relief, nothing was working for me and to make matters worse there has been little if any progress in finding a reliable medical treatment for Parkinson's disease without spending thousands of $, finally this year I was introduced to Health Herbs Clinic and their effective Parkinson’s herbal protocol. This protocol relieved symptoms significantly, even better than the medications I was given.. No case of Parkinson’s, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors. I’m strong again and able to go about daily activities. Visit Health Herbs Clinic website healthherbsclinic .com
I was diagnosed of Parkinson's Disease a couple of years ago, I had severe fatigue, difficulty with mobility and sleeping. I was given medications which helped but only for a short while. So i decided to try alternative measures and began on Parkinson's HERBAL TREATMENT from Kycuyu Health Clinic, It made a tremendous difference for me (Go to their website www. kycuyuhealthclinic. com ). I had improved walking balance, muscle strength and improved vision
excited to know about the binge watching thing. go to with your good work.
Larry this is really exciting stuff! Another potential biomarker idea: My daughter recently went to a speech at BYU where a researcher at University of Florida, David Vaillancourt, spoke on a potential biomarker for PD that can differentiate between PD MSA and PSP using diffusion MRI to measure Free-water in the Substantia Nigra. Maybe an idea for a future podcast. 😁
I am 65 years old, I was diagnosed of Parkinsons disease at the age of 59. I had severe calf pain, muscle pain, slurred speech, frequent falls, loss of balance, difficulty getting up from sitting position. I was placed on Sinemet 3 times daily, it helped me but not very much. My neurologist advised me to try natural treatments and introduced me to Rich Herbal Garden Parkinsons Disease Herbal formula, I read alot of positive reviews from other patients who used the treatment and i immediately started on the treatment. I had great improvement and relief with this treatment, total decline of symptoms. Great improvement with speech, co-ordination, balance, muscle, mood etc, I gained back my life with this treatment and can never be thankful enough. Visit Rich Herbal Garden official website w ww .Richherbalgardens .c om