#50: When Parkinson's is in the family

The Secret Life of Parkinson's: In this episode, you'll meet one of my first young-onset friends, a young-onset woman that was diagnosed 3 years ago...just about the same age that HER mother was diagnosed when she was just a kid. You'll hear what it was like growing up with a young-onset mother as well as what it's like to have a young-onset now herself. Unlike most of us, she saw what Parkinson's is capable of. But, talking to her MDS on her first visit, she learned that there are so many new ways to slow the progression - things they didn't know back when her mom was diagnosed: medication management, nutrition, exercise, socializing, and reducing stress. Parkinson's affects more than just the individual...it can affect generations. So talk to your family about what you are going through or talk to a genetic counselor to learn more.