Parkinson’s disease can change much more than movement. It can reshape roles and relationships, challenge a person’s sense of identity and alter the future they once imagined. In this podcast, you’ll hear from people living with the disease about how they’ve navigated the big questions that Parkinson’s has raised and the spiritual practices that nurture them, give them hope and keep them grounded. You’ll also hear from experts in Parkinson’s care about the importance of treating the whole person and how tending to spiritual well-being, however that looks for an individual, can be part of living well with the disease.
If you’d rather listen on the go, subscribe to our Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed what you heard, share it with a friend or leave us a review. It helps listeners like you find and support our mission.
Join Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, principal medical advisor at MJFF as she leads a discussion about spirituality and Parkinson’s. Our expert panelists are:
- Allan Cole, PhD, a dean at UT Austin’s School of Social Work. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006 and has written extensively on the role of spirituality in social work and counseling. He previously taught at a seminary and served as a Christian minister.
- Michael S. Fitts, who was diagnosed in 2011 and is a member of The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Patient Council. He also has a deep sense of spirituality and connection to his faith community.
- Janis Miyasaki, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FAAN, who is a movement disorder specialist and neuropalliative care expert at the University of Alberta. She has researched the connection between spirituality and Parkinson’s disease and is in training to become a Buddhist chaplain.
View a transcript of this podcast.
To learn more about living well with Parkinson’s, visit our lifestyle medicine hub.
To meet others walking similar paths and build supportive community together, join the Parkinson’s Buddy Network.