New Podcast on COVID-19 Pandemic for People With Parkinson Disease 

A limited podcast series by the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson's Research will begin Wednesday, May 6, 2020. The series is designed to help individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) and their caregivers and partners navigate their way through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The podcast will cover a variety of important aspects of the coronavirus pandemic that may merit specific consideration by people affected by PD. Practical advice on topics will include:
•    Making the most of telemedicine appointments with a movement disorder specialist 
•    Planning ongoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) care 
•    Social distancing and in-home care 
•    Participating in PD research from home 
•    Combating isolation and depression with mindfulness and physical exercise 

"Whether you are 37 or 73, living through a pandemic of this scale is new for all of us and navigating the PD journey adds another layer of challenge. Our foundation is committed to helping individuals with PD live their best lives with the disease through a wide range of engagement opportunities. Connecting with the worldwide PD community through a limited series podcast allows us to provide credible, accurate and up-to-date information, while offering advice, insight and hope," said Rachel Dolhun, MD, vice president of Medical Communications and a board-certified movement disorder specialist neurologist.

Each episode of the podcast will feature Dr. Dolhun and an expert guest. It will be hosted by Larry Gifford. Diagnosed at age 45, Gifford sits on the MJFF Patient Council. He is the host of the award-winning Curiouscast podcast When Life Gives You Parkinson's and is the National Director of Talk Radio for Corus Entertainment in Canada.

"I'm honored to be a part of this important project. PD is already a very lonely disease, add self-isolation and social distancing to it and it's a recipe for feeling disconnected, anxious and depressed," said Larry Gifford, host and creator of When Life Gives You Parkinson's. "The podcast is an accessible and intimate way to help bring our community together, ask and answer questions, sort fact from fiction and provide the important information they need to remain healthy and active during this time." 

The podcast will be available every other Wednesday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and michaeljfox.org/podcasts.