Webinar Series: Living with Parkinson’s Meetup

The Third Thursday of Every Month
1 – 2 pm Mountain Daylight Time
(12 pm PDT, 2 pm CDT, 3 pm EDT)

Parkinson’s is like a modern car. One little glitch in the hardware and all hell breaks loose. During our monthly Living with Parkinson’s Meetups, we talk about all the things that break loose, go wrong, make you laugh, make you cry, go right, go weird, and everything in between. It’s the hour of truth you never knew you needed. Join our panel each month to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Parkinson’s but were afraid to ask.

Past Webinar Recordings

Ways to Get Support

Thursday, November 15, 2024

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and in honor of this, November’s panel discussion focused on the importance of care partners, support systems, and Parkinson’s care teams. Panelists shared personal stories of how they’ve found strength and support from their families, friends, and communities as they navigate life with Parkinson’s.

Exenatide, Infusion Levodopa, and Advice

Thursday, October 18, 2024

The October Living with Parkinson’s Webinar Meetup focuses on discussion of two news items: an update about the phase 3 trial of exenatide and the United States Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the first continuous infusion carbidopa/levodopa system for treatment of motor fluctuations associated with advanced Parkinson’s.

Adaptive DBS, Symptom Tracking, and Exercise

Thursday, September 20, 2024

This month, the regular panelist group welcomed a guest panelist, Ben Stecher, to join them for a conversation about exercise, tools for tracking Parkinson’s symptoms, adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS), and more.

Emotional Health: Anger, Irritability, and Other Mood Changes

Thursday, August 15, 2024

This month, our Living with Parkinson’s Meetup panelists talked about the mood changes they have experienced and shared thoughts about how to navigate this aspect of living with Parkinson’s.

Temperature Regulation, Sleep, Pain, and Urinary Urgency

Thursday, July 18, 2024

This month, our Living with Parkinson’s Meetup panelists returned to the topic of non-motor symptoms. They discussed several common symptoms, including temperature regulation struggles, pain, fatigue and sleep disorders, and bowel and bladder issues. This conversation extends the conversation about non-motor symptoms the panelists had during the June meetup.

Apathy and Anxiety

Thursday, June 20, 2024

During this month’s meetup, our panelists discussed their experiences navigating non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s like apathy, pain, and cognitive impairment.

DBS, Pain, and Navigating Uncertainty

Thursday, May 16, 2024

During this month’s meetup, the panelists discussed the most important lessons they’ve learned while living with Parkinson’s, as well as some of the trickier lessons they’re working through.

Getting Things Done

Thursday, April 18, 2024

During our April Living with Parkinson’s Meetup, the panelists discussed how they continue to take action and communicate well while living with the many challenges of Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s in the Media

Thursday, March 21, 2024

During our March Living with Parkinson’s Meetup, the panelists discussed the way media depictions and coverage of Parkinson’s affect their efforts to live well with Parkinson’s. Along with the audience, they also produced a playlist of songs related to Parkinson’s.

Love and Relationships

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Our February Living with Parkinson’s Meetup was scheduled for the day after Valentine’s Day, so naturally, the topic was love. The panel has tackled this topic before, but this time, they approached it in a new way.

Clinical Trials

Thursday, January 18, 2024

During this session, the panelists discussed clinical trial participation and personal experiments they’ve undertaken to help themselves live well with Parkinson’s.

Holiday and Year-End Stresses

Thursday, December 21, 2023

This meetup wasn’t originally on our calendar, but the end of the year can be a lonely and challenging time. As such, the panelists decided they wanted to spend time with one another and the members of the viewing community. During the meetup, the panelists discussed challenges related to the end-of-year holidays, their hopes for 2024, and more.

Q&A

Thursday, November 16, 2023

The Living with Parkinson’s Meetup panelists receive questions each month that they just don’t have enough time to answer during the hour in which the meetups are held. For November, they worked through some of the questions to which they had not yet responded.

Ongoing Challenges of Living Well with Parkinson’s

Thursday, October 19, 2023

In this month’s meetup, inspired by an audience member’s question, the panelists discussed the ongoing and evolving challenges they face as they live with Parkinson’s. As always, this panel doesn’t hold back, and we’re so fortunate to have them tell the hard truth and share their journeys with all of us.

Disability and Changes of Ability in Parkinson’s

Thursday, September 21, 2023

This month, the Living with Parkinson’s Meetup panelists discussed how Parkinson’s has changed their abilities, getting disability benefits, and how they have approached these changes.   

This topic is extensive, and the panelists discussed many issues, including driving, stigmatization, leaving work, applying for disability benefits in the US, and global health disparities.

Vulnerability

Thursday, August 17, 2023

The panelists discussed moments when they were physically, emotionally, or socially vulnerable because of Parkinson’s. The panelists also discussed ways these vulnerabilities have sparked changes in their lives.

Relationships

Thursday, July 20, 2023

During our July Living with Parkinson’s Meetup, panelists discussed how their relationships have changed since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. As always, our panelists speak with honesty and emotion and make everyone affected by Parkinson’s feel less alone.

Fear and Shame: Part 2

Thursday, June 15, 2023

During this month’s meetup, the panelists talked about shame and Parkinson’s, including a discussion of the differences between shame, guilt, and embarrassment.

Fear and Shame: Part 1

Thursday, May 18, 2023

In this month’s Living With Parkinson’s Meetup, we hosted the first of two sessions on fear and shame. Panel members discussed fears they had when they were diagnosed that didn’t come to pass, fears they had when they were diagnosed that did come to pass, and fears they currently have that they’re working through. They also offered some thoughts about how to navigate fears.

Q and A

Thursday, April 20, 2023

During this month’s meetup, we discussed recent biomarker news, navigating medical procedures with Parkinson’s, how to respond when people say the “wrong” thing to you about Parkinson’s, and tips for dealing with speech issues, brain fog, and episodes of freezing.

What I Wish I Knew Then

Thursday, March 16, 2023

During this session, panelists discussed what they wished they’d known when they were first diagnosed with Parkinson’s and the advice they’d like to share with others.

Love and Relationships

Thursday, February 16, 2023

During this session, we discussed love, relationships, and care partners, whether they be spouses, kids, friends, neighbors, etc. Watch the recording below and scroll down for our show notes and resources.

Finding Hope and Inspiration

Thursday, January 19, 2023

We started the session off with our typical lively conversation which included the introduction of guest panelist Sarah Zenner, quotes from Doug Reid, and Heather’s rapping, then moving into a conversation about finding hope and optimism despite the difficulties of Parkinson’s.

Gait, Balance, and Falling in Parkinson’s

Thursday, November 17, 2022

We had our typical lively discussion, received some great advice from our panelists and our viewers, and learned how to face the fears that falling causes. Unfortunately, this is our last meetup of the year, but we look forward to seeing you in January of 2023!

Parkinson’s is Hard

Thursday, October 20, 2022

In this Living with Parkinson’s Meetup, panelists discuss symptom limitations, nutrition, depression, apathy, and isolation.

Ableism, Enableism, and Audience Q & A

Thursday, September 15, 2022

In this Living with Parkinson’s Meetup, panelists discuss ableism and enableism, that is feeling capable and “able” to continue living as independently as possible, but also accepting and asking for help when it is needed. Other topics include, how to get past the fear of letting your symptoms show, dealing with anger and sadness when you’re unable to do something, and more.

Audience Q & A

Thursday, August 18, 2022

In this Living with Parkinson’s Meetup, panelists discuss questions from the live webinar audience addressing topics including: difficulties managing body temperature in hot weather, falling and balance issues, the impact of stress on their symptoms, the loss of friendships after diagnosis, handling the constant question “how are you?” from friends and family, and much more.

The Value of Community, Purpose, and Meaning

Thursday, July 21, 2022

In this webinar, guest panelist, Bradley McDaniels, and Living with Parkinson’s panel members discuss the negative health effects of loneliness and how to build community, purpose, and meaning.

Communicating About Parkinson’s

Thursday, June 16, 2022

In this webinar, The YOPD Council discussed communicating about Parkinson’s with your loved ones, your healthcare providers, and more. 

Reaching Your Limit

Thursday, May 19, 2022

In this webinar, The YOPD Council discussed how to know when you’re reaching your limit and discussed things such as driving, work, exercise, executive function, and more.

Downsizing Your Life with YOPD

Thursday, April 21, 2022

In this webinar, The YOPD Council discussed downsizing, both mentally and physically.

Traveling with Parkinson’s

Thursday, March 22, 2022

In this webinar, The YOPD Council discuss their tips and tricks for traveling more easily with Parkinson’s, while also addressing the question: is travel still right for me?

What Not to Say to a Person with Parkinson’s

Thursday, February 24, 2022

In this YOPD Council session, our panelists discuss some of these moments in their life as well as what you can do to educate, advocate, and improve understanding.

Living with Parkinson’s Meetup Panelists

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