Parkinson's Pathway Pals Tuesdays with Teresa

Join me today as I speak with Kenneth and Paige Jobe.  Kenneth shares his personal story of misdiagnosis, mental health challenges and a loving care partner that helped bring him through.  

Join me as I speak with a panel of guests today including Molly Cupka, the Director of Sportrock Climbing Center, Alexandria and Founder of Up Ending Parkinsons. Molly is determined to spread the addictive sport that is rock climbing throughout the Parkinsons community. In addition, Molly is also dedicated to funding research and sharing simple, everyday adaptations that can slow the progression of Parkinsons Disease.  And she's cool enough to be on the Today Show! Up Ending Parkinsons is anticipated to air on April 30th, 2024. 

What do Parkinson's disease and an Ironman Triathlon have in common…Dr. Sara WhittinghamDr. Sara Whittingham is an Air Force Veteran and Anesthesiologist at Cleveland Clinic, Marymount Hospital, and clinical faculty member at Northeast Ohio Medical University.  She traveled the world caring for fellow service members and patients.  In Nov. 2020, at the age of 46, Sara's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease.Sara won a chance to compete at the 2023 Ironman World Championship in Kona.  She used this opportunity to raise awareness about Parkinson's Disease and how exercise can help people living with Parkinson's, live a full life.

Time Hague runs the race of his life.Tim Hague Sr. overcame the odds when he went from a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease to winning season #1 of The Amazing Race Canada.  Listen in as he shares the lessons he learned from that experience.  His message is wrapped in the idea of having the strength to do your best, the courage to be content with what your best produces, and the will to persevere.

Billy Kennedy is an American basketball coach who has a winning career spanning almost three decades.  He talks candidly about his diagnosis during a career change, DBS surgery and his approach to living with Parkinson's disease.  

Have you heard that exercise may slow the progression of Parkinson's Disease?  Are you curious which types of exercise may help?Please join me as I chat with Molly Cupka, Director of Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria, Virginia and Founder and President of Up Ending Parkinson's.  In addition, two special guests, Teresa Bennett and Michelle Sloane,  join in the discussion of how rock climbing has impacted their quality of life. Molly discusses her passion for neuroscience and her love of climbing, which was a driving force in starting a nonprofit, Up Ending Parkinson's, in May of 2022.  The mission of Up Ending Parkinson's is to help people develop practices through education, lifestyle changes and rock climbing that will nourish the mind, body and soul. 

Are you challenged with non motor Parkinson's symptoms?  Do you experience fatigue and sleep disruptions? Dr. Michael Okun discusses the management of these symptoms and more.Please join me as I speak with world Parkinson's leader, Dr. Michael Okun.  Dr. Okun is a board-certified neurologist, movement disorders specialist, neuroscientist and author who practices with the philosophy that ‘the patient is the sun' and should be at the center of all care decisions.Dr. Okun co-founded and co-directs the internationally renowned Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases with his neurosurgeon partner and friend, Kelly Foote, MD. Since 2006.  He also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson's Foundation.In addition, Dr. Okun has authored 14 books related to living a full life with neurological disorders including Parkinson's Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life and Ending Parkinson's Disease.Dr. Okun shares his insight and perspective on how to best manage Parkinson's disease. 

Do you have a parent living with Parkinson's?  Can you imagine what it would be like to have both parents with Parkinson's?Please join me as I chat with Laura Mosley – Manthey, as she candidly shares her parent's journey with Parkinson's and the impact it has had on her life.  Laura inspires those around her with her strong faith and her selfless giving in so many ways. Listen in as she talks about her family life, and the unexpected blessing of freedom to love her mom that came from this time.

Are you curious how nutrition affects Parkinson's Disease?  Is there a Parkinson's specific diet?  What about microbiome?  Please join me as I talk with Carley Rusch PhD, RDN, LDN as she discusses how nutrition impacts Parkinson's symptoms.  Carley coordinated a nutrition program at the UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and her PhD research investigated the role of the Mediterranean diet on improving gastrointestinal function in Parkinson's disease. She is published in Frontiers in Neurology and co-authored other work investigating the role of pre- and probiotics on gastrointestinal health.  She speaks for organizations like the Parkinson's Foundation and her passion for nutrition and service was acknowledged when she was named the 2020 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Please join me as I speak with world Parkinson's leader, Dr. Michael Okun.  Dr. Okun is a board-certified neurologist, movement disorders specialist, neuroscientist and author who practices with the philosophy that ‘the patient is the sun' and should be at the center of all care decisions.Dr. Okun co-founded and co-directs the internationally renowned Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases with his neurosurgeon partner and friend, Kelly Foote, MD. Since 2006.  He also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson's Foundation.In addition, Dr. Okun has authored 14 books related to living a full life with neurological disorders including Parkinson's Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life and Ending Parkinson's Disease.Dr. Okun shares his insight and perspective on how to best manage Parkinson's disease.  

Season 3 Episode 1: Jon Braddock is a licensed architect with a Masters Degree from MIT and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Florida.  He was diagnosed with YOPD in Jan, 2020 and lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida with his wife and two kids. Join me as I talk to Jon about navigating Young Onset Parkinson's Disease and coping with the disease during the “best” years of his life.   

Please join me as I chat with Allie Toepperwein, as she boldly shares her beautiful journey with Parkinson's disease and her diagnosis at the young age of 37.Allie has inspired thousands of people as a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and the first person with Parkinson's to compete on American Ninja Warriors. She travels throughout the country speaking about her journey and overcoming obstacles.  She looks at life with Parkinson's as a blessing. Thanks to her faith, her family and friends, she is a force to be reckoned with.Listen in as she talks about family life and her marriage to her husband who also has Parkinson's disease.

In this episode you will meet Allison Ballard, accomplished elite athlete and living successfully with Parkinson's disease.  Alison faces Parkinson's disease head on, just like she faces everything else. You will be inspired as Alison shares her view on life, her struggles with Parkinson's and her recent diagnosis of cancer.  

Please join me for a  discussion with Nicole Reynolds, Occupational Therapist and Certified Health Coach, as she explains how movement ties into function.  Nicole Reynolds is an occupational therapist and certified health coach, who enjoys looking from a holistic lens when working with people living with Parkinson's Disease.  Nicole is certified in LSVT BIG, PWR Moves, and a certified dementia practitioner with over 10 years of professional experience working with those living with Parkinson's Disease.  She not only helps with movement, but also "everything else" Parkinson's affects.  

Please join me for a  scientific discussion with Dr. Xiaobo Mao, Associate Professor with Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, around future Parkinson's related therapies and the cure for Parkinson'sDr. Mao is currently an Associate Professor with Johns Hopkins School of Medicine where he has extensive work in the hospital & health care industry. Dr. Mao gained his PhD at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2010 and conducted his post doctoral training at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2016 where his research focuses on alpha-synuclein proteins and how their misfolding and spread can lead to Parkinson's Disease.  This discovery holds potential promise for future Parkinson's related therapies.His discoveries are one of 40 key discoveries in 200 years of Parkinson's Disease research. 

Join me as I chat with Annie Brooks, MSW who currently serves as the Associate Director of Education at the Parkinson's Foundation. As part of the Education department, her primary focus is providing quality informational resources and programs for people with Parkinson's disease, their care partners and loved ones, and the professionals who are part of the medical and care team. Annie oversees the Aware in Care and Hospital Initiatives, the Care Partner Program, and the production and distribution of educational materials in English and Spanish. Annie completed her Master of Social Work focused in Community and Social Justice from The Ohio State University and her Bachelor of Social Work from Florida State University. She is passionate about empowering diverse communities to achieve their best health and social outcomes.

Scott Rider and Jim Morgan are embarking upon a cross country, motor coach adventure in an effort to provide the world an educational yet private look into what life is like with Parkinson's.Scott and Jim are collaborating with Barry Blaustein, an American comedy writer best known for his writing on Saturday Night Live and the screenplays for Coming to America and The Nutty Professor. Leveraging upon Barry's expertise and creative talents, Scott and Jim plan to produce a video documentary about the trip that they will use as a fundraising tool to benefit the Parkinson's Foundation.. They will meet with care partners, physicians, exercise experts, and nutritionists who strive to make life better for people living with PD. They will also visit with top clinical researchers and innovative entrepreneurs who are working diligently to help find a cure.

Have you ever wondered if Parkinson's in genetic?  Maybe you are concerned because a grandparent or parent was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.Join me today as my guests from the Parkinson's Foundation explain PD GENEration and how it is used for mapping the Future of Parkinson's Disease. 

Eve Grill is 22 years old and the oldest daughter of Anna Grill, who was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson's disease when Eve was very young.  While Eve is embarking on her life as a young adult, having just graduated from the College of William and Mary and working in DC, she still looks to her mom for guidance in every aspect of life.  Eve discusses how Parkinson's has inevitably impacted her life, but she believes it has brought many blessings to her life as well as her family's life.  Listen in as Eve shares how she processsed the complex emotions of learning about her mother's diagosis, coping with fear and the unknown, and how she learned to trust her mom to care for herself.   Eve's experience has clearly made her wise beyond her years.   

Please join me as I chat with Tom Urtz who shares his inspirational story.  He talks about his journey so honestly from falling down more than 5,000 times in the past few years to his decision to stop driving.    Tom underwent deep brain stimulation surgery in 2012 and retired on disability in 2014.  His speech has been affected by Parkinson's.  There may be times during the interview that I repeat what he says for the listening audience.

Dr. Mathur is a family physician from Toronto, Canada who resigned her medical practice following a Young Onset Parkinson's Disease diagnosis at age 27. Having lived with the disease for over two decades she now spends her time writing, educating, and advocating for those living with Parkinson's. Dr. Mathur works with organizations such as The Michael J Fox foundation, The Davis Phinney Foundation the Brian Grant Foundation, Parkinson Canda, Lakeridge Health Foundation and co founder of PD Avenger's.  She is also an author of the patient education and medical blog UnshakeableMD, and she has authored two books, Shaky hands, and my grandpa's shaky hands.

Karl and Angela Robb - lessons from living with Parkinson's for over 30 years. Join me as I chat with Karl and Angela Robb as they share their experience of living successfully with Parkinson's disease for over 30 years.   They are truly inspirational! Karl Robb has had Young Onset Parkinson's disease (PD) for over thirty years. With symptoms since he was seventeen years old, Karl was diagnosed at the age of twenty-three. Now fifty-four, he is a Parkinson's disease advocate, entrepreneur, inventor, Reiki Master, and author of two books (A Soft Voice in a Noisy World: A Guide to Dealing and Healing with Parkinson's Disease and Dealing and Healing with Parkinson's Disease and Other Health Conditions: A Workbook for Body, Mind, and Spirit) with his wife and care partner, Angela Robb. He has blogged for twelve years on his website, ASoftVoice.com. He is a Community Team Member to ParkinsonsDisease.net. Karl is a board member of both the Parkinson Voice Project and Parkinson Social Network.Angela Robb is Karl's wife of 24 years, co-editor at ASoftVoice.com, Community Team Member at ParkinsonsDisease.net, and a Reiki Master. Angela has advocated for caregiver issues by sharing her experiences at various regional and national Parkinson's conferences, writing for the Every Victory Counts manual from the Davis Phinney Foundation, and presenting at the World Parkinson Congress. In 2015, Angela was honored at The White House as a Champion of Change in Parkinson's Disease. 

Join Teresa Jackson, National Certified Health and Wellness Coach and International Podcast host, as she provides strategies to living well with Parkinson's.  

Bobby is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy. He graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Bobby has served the role of a full-time physical therapist for over seven years and works nearly exclusively within the Parkinson's community.  He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. In 2018 Bobby was the recipient of the APTA Academy of Neurology Early Career Professional Award and Degenerative Disease Special Interest Group Volunteer Award.He has supported the PD patient population through education and advocacy in partnership with organizations such as the Parkinson's Foundation, PDSELF, CurePSP, and newly founded LiftPD. Bobby's goals are to continue to develop an excellent quality of treatment paradigms for Parkinson's disease, improve clinical care access, and to continue to give support to self-efficacy for individuals and families living with Parkinson's disease.  

Dr. Jackie Judd Flack graduated from West Virginia School Of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007 after completing her undergraduate training at Bridgewater College in Virginia, majoring in Biology with a minor in Philosophy and Religion.  Dr. Flack completed her residency training at the Shenandoah Valley Family Practice Residency Program through Virginia Commonwealth University. With 14 years of experience, she specializes in family medicine and practices in Winchester, VA.  Dr. Flack believes the person is more than the composition of their medical diagnosis.  She believes that preventative medicine is the key to improving quality of life and care of her patients.  She also believes that many diseases take a team of healthcare providers to provide expertise and input.  Dr. Flack takes pleasure in being a patient advocate and working along side with specialists to provide the best interdisciplinary team for patient care.Join us and learn about the role of the primary care physician and their role in diagnosing and treating Parkinson's Disease in collaboration with your neurologist or movement disorder specialist. 

Dr. Hooman Azmi is the Director of the Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.  His goal has been to develop a program that delivers a very comprehensive approach to the care of patients with Parkinson's disease.  From promoting engagement in health and wellness, to offering the most current medication therapies, to making available surgical options such as Deep Brain Stimulation and beyond, the program strives to ensure the best quality of life possible for each patient.  Recognizing the particular vulnerability of patients with Parkinson's disease, Dr. Azmi has spent the last ten years helping to develop innovative hospital wide protocols and programs to improve the care of patients with Parkinson's disease who have been admitted to the hospital.  He leads a team at HUMC whose efforts have culminated in HUMC becoming the first hospital in the nation to receive disease specific certification in Parkinson's disease from the Joint Commission for accreditation of Hospitals in June of 2018. Dr. Azmi has authored and co-authored several articles in scientific journals and has been an invited speaker nationally and internationally.  His co-authored book entitled “Parkinson's Disease for the Hospitalist” was released in October 2018.   

Dr. Jonathan Lessin is a former Cardiac Anesthesiologist whose career was cut short nine years after the diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson's Disease at the age of 38.  Initially he was able to keep working with medication and eventually Deep Brain Stimulation at age 42. After Dr. Lessin voluntarily retired in 2012, he found rock climbing as a form of exercise to further aid him in his struggle with the disease. Ultimately, Jon helped to form a PD rock climbing group at Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria, VA.  He also authored a book, titled Tenacity, about his experience with Parkinson's, deep brain stimulation and different forms of exercise that improved the quality of his life. Jonathan now finds happiness encouraging those living with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease to attempt things they thought they could never do.  

Anna Brown Grill developed Young Onset Parkinson's Disease at the age of 38 at a time when she was living her best life- excelling in her career while successfully balancing the roles of wife and of mother to two girls who at the time were 9 and 7 years old.  She was leading a division of 110 associates, traveling from South Carolina to Delaware all while serving as PTA president at her girl's elementary school when she was diagnosed.   There was clearly No time on her calendar for PD and while she started medication and care immediately, in all other aspects, she largely swept it under the carpet, keeping it mostly to herself and forging ahead with her activities. She worked for 10 more years in her full time, stressful career all while managing to keep her illness undisclosed.  It was not until she exited at age 48 that she fully disclosed her condition to her coworkers.Since then, Anna has gone from hiding in the closet with her condition to becoming one of the most vocal advocates I know.  She is very active with the Parkinson's Foundation and has served as the chair for the DC Moving Day event for the last four years.  Anna's first hand experience, and frustration with the lack of resources available specifically for young onset, prompted her to create a nonprofit organization specifically designed and targeted at supporting that community from a holistic perspectiveIn addition to developing a nonprofit for YOPD, Anna now spends her time focusing on her health, exercising and volunteering.  Please join me as Anna Brown Grill shares her inspirational story.    Episode is LivePublished: May. 25, 2021 @12AM EditUnpublishAdd a TranscriptGet episode better indexed by search engines.Add Chapter MarkersListeners can tap through & see what's coming up.Create a Visual SoundbiteBest way to share to social media for engagement.Share Episode OnFacebookTwitterLinkedInMore OptionsEmail Link to Episode CopyDirect Link to MP3 Copy Download MP3Embed this ONE Episode

Brett Miller is the Founder and Owner of 110 Fitness.  In addition, he is a licensed physical therapist with 26 years of experience in all settings including sports therapy, acute and intensive care, long-term care, and wound care. Brett serves as an ambassador for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the Davis Phinney Foundation.  He is a research consultant for innovative United States research companies as well as prominent Boston hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic. He has worked in the fitness industry for 25 years with extensive experience in Parkinson's wellness, strength and conditioning, boxing, cycling, rowing, and kickboxing. He has also worked as the strength and conditioning coach for world-class boxers and Olympic athletes focusing on injury prevention and rehabilitation. Brett is a U.S. Army veteran and is proud to have served as a combat medic trainer for special operations. He is a PWR!Moves® Certified Therapist and is also certified in Concept 2 Rowing, Pedaling for Parkinson's, SCW Boxing Fitness, SCW Aquatics Exercise, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, CPR/AED, and is a licensed boxing second in the state of Massachusetts.

Dr. Maria De Leon is a retired Movement Disorder Specialist and a person living with Parkinson's.  After developing Young Onset Parkinson's Disease she took her knowledge and began Advocacy work.She is a bestselling author of Parkinson's Diva, A Woman's Guide to Parkinson's .Dr. De Leon is a research advocate who works on improving diversity in PD research, she initiated movement in gender differences in PD, working with women with PD around the globe to become more empowered.

Jimmy Choi was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 27.  After an extended period of time where he did not manage his disease, and a fall down a flight of stairs with his young son, Jimmy decided to take back what PD had robbed from him physically, mentally, and emotionally.   He is an accomplished athlete  and you may recognize Jimmy Choi from American Ninja Warrior where he has competed for four straight years. He showed the world that Parkinson's will not stop him, and he has inspired many more to not let a diagnosis define you.

In episode 4 you will meet the leadership team of Rock Steady Boxing in Indianapolis, Indiana.    Each member of this guest panel brings a unique skill to the program.  During this episode,  Kristy Rose Follmar, Chris Timberlake, Dr. Ryan Cotton, and Keri Eisenberg, share the history of Rock Steady Boxing, discuss research and exercise medicine and the future for the program.Please join me on my next episode when I meet with Jimmy Choi, Ultra Marathoner, Cyclist, American Ninja Warrior Seasons 9,10,11 and 12, Official Burpee and Push-up World Record Holder, Motivational Speaker - overcoming obstacles while living with Parkinson's, and Parkinson's AdvocateSee you Tuesday...(March Feb. 23rd, 2021)

In this episode you will meet Dr. Drew Falconer.  Dr. Falconer is board certified in neurology and is a fellowship-trained movement disorders specialist. He is the Director of the Inova Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center and specializes in advanced care of patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, Huntington's disease, tic disorders and other movement disorders. He is uniquely qualified in the areas of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and botulinum toxin injections. Dr. Falconer speaks nationally on various topics in Movement Disorders and is a respected national educator in Parkinson's Disease and DBS.”During this episode Dr. Falconer discusses modern approaches to treatment, nonmedical musts, and Parkinson's during COVID.  Please join me on my next episode when I meet with the leadership team from Rock Steady Boxing in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Kristy Rose Follmar, Chris Timberlake, Dr. Ryan Cotton, and Keri Eisenberg share the history of Rock Steady Boxing, discuss research and exercise medicine and the future for Rock Steady Boxing.  See you Tuesday...(Feb. 23rd, 2021)

In this episode you will meet Molly Donelan.  Molly is the Director of Events and programs at Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria, Virginia where she has been working and climbing for over 12 years. Molly was able to combine her love of climbing as well as her passion for neuroscience when she started a Parkinson's climbing group at Sportrock 8 years ago. Molly discusses the benefits of rock climbing, why rock climbing is an especially good exercise for those with Parkinson's Disease and what she has learned from people living with Parkinson's.Please join me on my next episode with Dr. Draw Falconer.  Dr. Falconer is board certified in neurology and is a fellowship-trained movement disorders specialist. He is the Director of the Inova Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center and specializes in advanced care of patients with Parkinson's disease as well as other movement disorders.  Dr. Falconer and I discuss current approaches to treatment, nonmedical musts, and Parkinsons during COVID.See you Tuesday....(Jan. 26, 2021)

In this episode I share my personal story around my diagnosis experience and the critical need for education for newly diagnosed patients.  I hope you find this episode inspiring.  Future episodes will include interviews with Parkinson's medical professionals as well as interviews with people thriving with Parkinson's.  Please join me on my next episode with Molly Donelan.  Molly is the  Director of Events and Programs at Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria, VA.  She will share her love of climbing as well as  her personal passion for neuroscience.  Please hang out with us as Molly shares how climbing is beneficial for the person living with Parkinson's. See you Tuesday...(December 22, 2020)