Podcast interviews anyone keen?

So, for those of you who are new to my efforts and for those of you who are not, I am reaching out to see if anyone can assist me with my podcast. One of the reasons I decided to add a podcast on to my blog, is that I wanted the ability to interview people to get a richness of lived experience not just of my life, but others affected too.

I am acutely aware that we are all different and put three people in a room with Parkinson’s and although there may be some commonalities, there are also likely to be some interesting differences too. Some people for example will exercise rigorously from Day 1 to try to keep this beast at bay. Others – myself included – have had other health issues which has meant that exercising has been problematic due to comorbidities. My husband has just pointed out to me that he had not heard the word ‘comorbidities’ before. Having worked in a hospital setting for 11 years, you sometimes forget that terms we are accustomed to can be something your average person would not know about. The ‘…morbidities’ bit might sound a bit scary, but here is the definition:

What are comorbidities?

Comorbidities are medical conditions that you have in addition to a primary diagnosis. You may have one or more comorbidities. 

Some will have a supportive partner, husband, wife, friends and/or adult children or none of the above. Some may be blessed to live in an area with a wealth of support and information available to them and great Neurologists and specialists. Some have nothing or very limited formal support options. Some trawl the internet to find information, read books, listen to podcasts, read blogs and many other ways of finding out information.

I would love my blog to better represent the world of Parkinson’s from many perspectives, not just mine. To give those of us with ‘Parkies’ a voice and also to give a voice to those that support them. To ask the questions, to find a way to help others talk about how this experience is for them and if I can help them do that, this whole process of starting my blog and now my podcast will be something I can be truly proud of.

So, you can be as open as you like, but I will encourage you – if you decide to participate – to think about what things you are comfortable with talking about and those things that you are not. The things that you want people to know about you, not just as a PWP (person with Parkinson’s) but first and foremostly as a person. I would consider it a privilege to be able to talk with anyone who is keen to have a go. Think of how exciting it would be to hear our voices – not just mine – and to record something that you can share with those you love and who love you. Maybe it might be the first time someone has really stopped to ask you, ‘What does having Parkinson’s mean to you?’ and in doing so to really listen. Maybe I can help you find the words and if we cry, we cry and if that is what is felt at the time and if it is OK maybe we don’t edit it out. Maybe we do…

I hope some of you will join me in sharing what having this unwelcome hitchhiker that has come along for the ride uninvited has been so far for you.

I am only an expert on me.

I would love to hear from you other experts out there.

I promise to always be open and honest and honour you if you decide you want to do this.

I promise to keep away from subjects you don’t want to talk about and you can be as open as you like and be identified, or you can be anonymous.

I hope you will join me.

Who knows, you might enjoy it!