Host Larry Gifford closes our four-part series on stigma and Parkinson's with a conversation with Brian Grant about his personal experiences with stigma and his thoughts on the stereotypes of people with Parkinson's disease.More about Brian Grant:Brian Grant was an NBA idol, known for tenacious rebounding and a fearless attitude on the court. During his 12‐year career, he played for five teams and became a strong contributor to his surrounding communities. In 2006, Brian retired from professional basketball. Only two years later, he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease at age 36. He started the Brian Grant Foundation to help people with Parkinson’s lead fulfilling lives.

Stigma for people with Parkinson's disease is a global issue, and its manifestations can vary across different countries and cultures. In this episode, host Larry Gifford speaks with Nduta M'mbogori about her experience being diagnosed and living with Parkinson's in Nairobi, Kenya.

Societal expectations and assumptions about how Parkinson’s presents for women can lead to women being overlooked in terms of their own needs and experiences. In this episode, host Larry Gifford talks to Sree Sripathy and Richelle Flanagan, co-founders of the Women's Parkinson's Project, about Parkinson’s Stigma for Women.More about our guests:Richelle FlanaganRichelle is a CORU state registered dietitian who has been practicing for 20 years. She was president and CEO of the of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI), the professional body for Dietitians in Ireland. She was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s Disease shortly after the birth of her second child. She is a World Parkinson Congress Ambassador and a member of the Dublin Committee of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland. She is particularly passionate about two areas (1) the importance of diet for PD and (2) the unmet needs of women with PD. She is a co-founder of the Women’s Parkinson’s Project  and co-founder of a digital health start-up, My Moves Matter, a digital self-care companion to empower people with Parkinson’s to live better lives.Sree SripathySree is a photographer and writer. She is an Ambassador for the Davis Phinney Foundation and a co-Founder of the Women's Parkinson's Project. She was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease in 2015 and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.Women with PD Hormone Study links referenced in the podcast:"Tracking Parkinson’s Disease (PD) symptoms, medications, and menstruation"Take the survey.News story - World's First Hormone Study in Women with Parkinson's Launches.

Host Larry Gifford opens our four-part series defining stigma and exploring what stigma looks like for people with PD with his first guest, Kimball Magoni, PhD.Dr. Magoni is a licensed psychologist in private practice for more than 35 years. His perspective as a person with Parkinson's makes for a conversation filled with understanding and thoughtful strategies for anyone experiencing internal or external stigma.More about Dr. Magoni: Kimball Magoni, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist and a Nationally Certified Health Service Provider in Psychology. Dr. Magoni has over 35 years of experience in private practice treating adolescents, adults, and families. He has a specialty in resolving treatment resistant conditions. He empowers his patients to discover and integrate effective coping strategies to address physical and emotional challenges. Dr. Magoni received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Temple University. He completed a four-year post-doctoral program at The Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis, Structural Family Therapy training at The Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training at The Beck Institute.Dr. Magoni provides consultation, workshop training and supervision to therapists, university professionals and hospital staff on a variety of clinical topics.

People living with Parkinson’s have different comfort levels when talking to others about symptoms they experience. In this episode, Amber wraps up our series with founder Brian Grant covering topics from cringe-worthy social moments to declines in abilities that are tough to face.

Even the most sensitive people can say insensitive things to people living with Parkinson’s disease. In this episode, Amber speaks with Kamal Julka about the comments they have encountered from the most unexpected sources - from strangers at the store to family and friends.

Women with Parkinson’s experience the disease differently than men, and we know so little about why that is. What we do know is there are societal expectations for women, and they are even more complex for women who have PD. In this episode, Amber talks to friend and Parkinson’s advocate, Esther Labib-Kiyarash, about the emotional, social, and physical experience for women with PD.

From tremors and slowness to changes in sense of smell and taste, those living with Parkinson's face several hurdles when it comes eating. In this episode, Amber speaks with founder Brian Grant about eating - from fears about swallowing to awkward social situations.

This year India’s population surpassed the population of China. In this episode, Dr. Soania Mathur speaks with Dr. Maria Barretto about the experiences of people with Parkinson's in the world’s most populous country.

As we get ready to arrive in Barcelona for the World Parkinson Congress, we wanted to learn more about the experience of people living with Parkinson’s in Spain. In this episode, Dr. Soania Mathur is joined by Paqui Ruiz who lives in Spain.

For some people in our global Parkinson’s community, the misconceptions about the disease and its causes can lead to complete isolation. In this episode, Dr. Soania Mathur speaks with Hannington Kabugo about his experience with Parkinson's in Uganda.

This year the World Parkinson Congress is coming to Barcelona. As the WPC approaches, Dr. Soania Mathur is talking with people impacted by Parkinson’s around the world to hear about their experiences living with the disease. In this episode, she's joined by Ana Maria and Ray who are living in Peru.

Thirteen people crossed the finish line of the Portland to Coast relay. In this episode, BGF Executive Director Katrina Kahl talks to Mike McCastle and Jenn Rohl, loved ones of people with Parkinson's, about their experience being on the team.

Gigi Van Rysellberghe's Parkinson's diagnosis rounded out an 18-month period she jovially calls her “medical trifecta.” Before her PD diagnosis, Gigi had recently undergone spinal fusion surgery and fought breast cancer. In this episode, Gigi talks to co-hosts Brian Grant and Heather Kennedy about her fiercely optimistic approach to dealing with multiple diagnoses.

Kevin Kwok's "muscle through" approach to living with young onset Parkinson's disease got him through the early stages of his diagnosis. But as the disease has progressed, Kevin has learned to adapt to the changes. In this episode, Kevin talks to co-hosts Brian Grant and Heather Kennedy about the road he is on now and the mental shift he's made to come to grips with living with mid-stage PD.

Amber Hesford doesn’t indulge in plans and aspirations for her future. As a working single mom who is living with young onset Parkinson’s disease, Amber is taking it day by day. In this episode, Amber talks to co-hosts Brian Grant and Heather Kennedy about the unique challenges she faces in her Parkinson’s journey and her humorous approach to living with the disease.

Kerry Rae Connolly was getting ready to celebrate her 40th birthday when her husband, Harry, was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease. A few years later Harry had a massive stroke while undergoing deep brain stimulation and, in an instant, Kerry Rae became his full-time care partner.  In this episode, Kerry Rae talks to co-hosts Brian Grant and Heather Kennedy about how optimism, laughter and support from others helped them cope until Harry passed away in 2021.

On August 27, 2022, Team Grant crossed the finish line of the Portland to Coast relay. In this bonus episode, Brian talks about his motivation to get across the finish line and what's next for him.

When elite rower Todd Vogt was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease, he thought his rowing days were over. But this week Todd is on his way to the World Rowing Championships. In this episode, Todd talks to co-hosts Brian Grant and Heather Kennedy about how he found a way to continue doing the sport he loves.

Brian, Heather, Amber and Kevin answered your questions live! Amy Lavallee, who is also living with young onset Parkinson's disease, moderated the show. To watch the recording of the live show visit briangrant.org.