January 7, 2025 • 28 mins
What if maintaining a positive mindset could change your life, even in the face of Parkinson's? Join Judy and Travis as they share stories of gratitude and resilience from 2024, while eagerly anticipating the new year. Experience the power of positivity and creativity as Travis embraces watercolor painting and authors two photography books, showcasing how art and mindfulness can enrich lives regardless of challenges. Tune in to hear how moments of sadness are natural, but focusing on joy and what can be controlled is transformative.
As we look forward to 2025, this episode celebrates personal achievements and highlights the importance of communication and planning, especially when managing specific needs. Travis offers practical tips for preparing for outings, ensuring comfort and enjoyment amid potential challenges. Judy and Travis emphasize the value of having things to look forward to, such as art shows and social visits, maintaining hope and motivation. Wrap up with us as we celebrate accomplishments, and share our excitement for future episodes in the new year, wishing everyone a Happy New Year filled with possibilities.
- Co-hosts: Judy Yaras & Travis Robinson
- Editor & Audio Engineer: (EP1-100) Spencer Yaras
- Audio Engineering Intern: Ana MacAller
- Social Media Intern: Ana MacAller
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to I'm Not Dead Yet with Judy and Travis, a
podcast about living anextraordinary life with
extraordinary circumstances.
Welcome to the I'm Not Dead Yetpodcast.
(00:22):
I'm your co-host, TravisRobinson.
I was diagnosed withParkinson's disease at age 35 in
2014.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
And I'm your other co-host, Judy Yarris.
My husband, Sandy, hadParkinson's disease for 18 years
.
I was his care partner.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Today's episode will be looking back on 2024.
And, of course, looking aheadto 2025.
Hey Judy, how the hell are you?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Hi Travis.
Well, at the moment, I'm verygood.
I'm a year older I'm still here, no complaints.
I mean I have a lot ofcomplaints but I'm not really
focused on complaints.
I'm a year older I'm still hereno complaints.
I mean I have a lot ofcomplaints but I'm not really
focused on complaints.
I mean I'm really into thegratitude part of my life.
This is my gratitude time.
(01:36):
I am grateful to be here,grateful to be your friend,
grateful to be able to do thispodcast with you.
Regardless of some of thesetbacks and things that 2024
brought on different levels, I'mpretty good and I'm sticking to
(01:57):
it.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Well, that's awesome to hear.
It's awesome to hear myselfhave had a few challenges this
year as well, but I'm still hereand not dead yet, so I guess
(02:24):
we'll keep doing the show, Ithink.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
So I think we have to keep it up and you still have
to keep telling your story.
And I mean, let's look at wherewe were a year ago, you know.
I mean it was the end of 2023.
2024 seemed kind of hopeful insome ways and I don't know.
I mean, I think that we'vethere were so many advances in
(02:51):
Parkinson's this year, so manyresearch advances that are so
cool, and there's so much morecoming now in 2025 in terms of
delivery systems and new drugsand all these amazing things
that are happening.
And I think you know the futurelooks good.
(03:15):
But, just staying in the momentof how do we stay positive when
the chips are down, you know,when things don't go the way we
thought they were going to go orthe way we planned it, and you,
of all people, know that.
You know that you had quite afew challenges this year, I know
(03:36):
.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
But through them all, you've continued to be positive
and keep going forward, and sothere's something to be said for
that of the mindset, what ourmind tells us.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So if you're listening to this show and you
just don't want to hear twohalf-full people, we are the
glasses that are half full.
We don't go to the half emptyright.
So I think it's a testimonialand I'm acknowledging myself on
(04:20):
this.
I don't do this very often, butI am acknowledging myself for
being willing to keep anattitude that I can always get
through it, no matter what.
No matter what the challenge is, I will find a way to work
(04:41):
through it and keep myselfpositive to work through it and
keep myself positive.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
That is true, Judy.
You've always been a veritableray of sunshine.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Thank you, travis.
I take that as a complimentbecause I think it's easy to be
down and you know, I've had mymoments where I have been down
or I have felt sad and depressed, but I call them moments.
I don't allow it to overtake me.
I mean, I think it's normal foreveryone to have those points
(05:22):
where you just feel somethingjust overtakes you and it feels
sad and it's okay to feel thatway.
We're allowed to have some sadin our lives.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yes, but the difference is who we let drive
the ship.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Right.
I think that's where you havebeen.
Great inspiration for me andfor many people, travis, is that
you always try to work throughit and find the positive in it,
even if the challenge and we docall them challenges, I think
that's that is what they arewhen something doesn't go the
(06:09):
way you planned or you have anew symptom that is kicking you
in the ass, you know it's, it'sa challenge and the challenge is
how can I work through this atthis moment in time?
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Yes, because for me it's not about like oh well, I
wish I didn't have BD, it's muchmore granular.
(06:51):
Oh, I wish I could process myfood regularly.
Or I wish I wasn't falling somuch Right, I wish that I could
(07:18):
speak more clearly, and each oneof those things is something
that I can do.
If I am applied and focused, Ican speak a little clearer or
(07:49):
maintain my balance just a bitmore.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
I think it takes a lot of brain power to do that.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
So you're constantly working on it.
You don't get a break when youhave PD.
I think this is the one thingwe have to let everyone know you
don't get a day off, right.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
No, ma'am, I sure as fuck don't.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah, there's no day off.
So what ends up happening isthat you still have to get
through that day.
You still have to get throughthose moments where maybe you're
(08:53):
sounds a little more garbled oryou're not as clear.
You just can't get the wordsout.
You can't retrieve the wordssometimes, but I think you
always look at it as what can Ido differently?
Yeah, and I think that's yourstrength, and I think that's
your strength and I think that'ssomething that we can all learn
(09:16):
from.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Yeah, it is something that I have always looked at
and, regardless of the situation, you know, what can I do to
(09:41):
improve this predicament?
Speaker 2 (09:48):
And I think we all do that.
I do that myself.
I mean I don't have PD, butI've had some physical
challenges this year where I amdoing it for a much shorter time
and hopefully eventually itwill, my brain and the muscles
(10:19):
will kick in and they'llactually work together.
So you know and I don't know,it may never happen.
I'm waiting to see.
But you know, when you have PDyou don't have that idea that oh
, if I just concentrate on this,it's going to go away and I can
(10:40):
make it better.
It doesn't work that way.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
But you still have to concentrate when you're walking
.
You still have to be in themoment, you still have to pay
attention, you have to bemindful.
You don't get to forget aboutthat part of your day.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Regardless of the situation is you know, what can
I do to improve this predicament?
You've still got to keep yourmind on your gate and your
(11:27):
walking Right.
It's an important part of whatyou do, walking.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Right.
It's an important part of whatyou do in your day and it's the
part that is so automatic formost people.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
But for people with Parkinson's it is not Right.
Oh, I was sick Weird.
Oh, I was sick earlier.
I've had a pretty good year.
Art I use.
(12:05):
This year, yes, I learned howto paint and I've started
(12:47):
watercolor painting.
That has improved my drawingfrom stick figures to better
stick figures.
And I released two books onphotography this year and I was
very pleased with how they bothturned out.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
That's amazing, travis, I mean kudos to you for
doing that.
That's pretty fantastic, andthe fact that you're doing
watercolors, which I know is sodifficult.
I have a good friend who'staking watercolor classes now
and it's very challenging, soI'm amazed that you're willing
(13:28):
to tackle that at this point intime.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Well, I don't have any other mind in time that we
can access.
So, yeah, it's all about whatcan I do right now.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Right, what can you do right now.
I think that's a really goodpoint.
I mean, I like that saying whatcan I do right now?
That's a really important wayto look at things, rather than
what can't I do right now, whatcan I do right now.
And I know you well enough toknow that when you go into these
(14:17):
classes, you sort of go in withwhat I call an open heart and
no expectations, am I right?
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
So you're willing to just see what happens with it.
It's like throwing confetti inthe air and seeing where it
falls, and I love that.
I love that you aren't hard onyourself and that you accept
whatever comes out of it.
(14:50):
For me, that is amazing, andI'm so impressed with the fact
that you're willing to do it andI'm excited to see what it
looks like.
And just, I'm going to throw ina commercial here because it
looks like we're going to bedoing, because it looks like
we're going to be doing LivingArtistically the beginning of
(15:14):
2026.
There's some exciting news thatI'll get to share after the
first day of the year about this, but the Living Artistically
art show will probably happen in2026.
And so Living Artistically withParkinson's is alive and well,
(15:37):
and it will take on a differentform for 2025.
But in 2026, it will be rightup your alley.
So stay tuned, folks, for thatone.
And it gives you plenty of timeto master what you're doing.
Travis, you have a whole yearRight.
(16:00):
A whole year to practice A wholeyear to practice Something to
look forward to, and so I thinkyou know that's something that I
think we forget about and thatis having something to look
forward to.
As a little kid, I think theylook forward to, like, the first
(16:23):
day of school, they lookforward to their birthday, they
might look forward to Christmasor Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, whatever
they celebrate.
I think as adults we forget tolook forward to something
because we get caught up in allthe shit of daily life.
(16:44):
That kind of drags us down.
You know, the mundane thingsthat we don't want to deal with,
that kind of, are difficult forus.
But I think if we can reallyfocus on looking forward,
looking forward to somethingspecial, it gives us the hope
(17:07):
and the strength to pull fromwithin and make that really
important and make it reallyspecial.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Yes, and it is so essential for me to have things
that I look forward to startingclasses again in the spring,
(17:42):
visiting my friends this holidayseason yes, it is really
important for me to have thingsto look forward to.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
I think that's great, travis, and the fact that
you're willing to go visitfriends, you're willing to go
put yourself out there, go tosomeone else's home, even though
there might be some challengesthere.
But I know you well and usuallyyou prepare for that.
You know if you want to givesome helpful hints to anyone
that might be listening.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Yeah, reparation is a lot, and now, if you care about
that, I always make sure mineis stocked with extra meds,
(18:57):
extra clothes, extra food andsome sort of bubbly beverage
(19:38):
that's great, that's really goodA bullying beverage, extra meds
with them when they're goingsomewhere, even if you know
you're just going for anafternoon.
But it's a good idea to haveextra things with you when
(20:00):
you're out.
Yes, because if you become thelight, well then the trouble.
That is my thought, and so Idon't leave the house without a
few extra pills to get methrough the next two or three
doses.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
That's really smart.
That's a great way to approachit.
Do you prepare, like whenyou're going to someone else's
house?
Do you prepare other people forif they haven't seen you for a
while?
Do you give them a heads upabout how you're doing, or do
you let it be a surprise?
How do you approach that?
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Um, it really depends on what I expect them to do
about it.
Like, if I am really ball-prone, I give them a quick heads up,
(21:14):
but if I'm just having troubletalking, then I don't usually.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Uh-huh.
Okay, that's fair enough, sothat if you're going to
someone's house I think that's agreat idea Let them know that
you've been falling a lot, thatit's not for them to be too
concerned about.
If you take a fall at theirhouse and also do a little
homework Like I always didhomework if we got invited
(21:52):
somewhere, how many steps arethere, you know?
Is it kind?
of right Kind of rugs?
Do they have lots of area rugs,like, what are the things that
could be a problem or beproblematic for for using a
walker be problematic for usinga walker, you know, or even
(22:15):
someone that maybe is using acane, or maybe someone who
doesn't want to use either anykind of assistive device?
But you're going to havepitfalls at this house, and so I
think it's good to do that Also, letting people know that it's
not that you're insulting themby not eating certain foods, but
certain foods may be difficultfor you from a choking
(22:36):
standpoint, right, so you cannotattempt them, and that that's
okay too.
I mean, all of those things canbe really helpful when you're
going to someone else's home.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Right.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
And I think even when people would come to our home
for holidays and things, when wewould have a party or something
, I would just sort of giveeverybody a heads up that was
coming.
Oh, sandy's had sort of a badweek.
He may be really great, bereally great.
(23:16):
He may not be, and it's okay.
We want you to come, he wantsto see you, but don't be
concerned if you see that hegoes to lay down for a few
minutes, or if he's not astalkative or you know whatever.
I think that's important.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Yes, and it helps people to feel more comfortable
when they're around you.
I notice that for me when Ihave real trouble and I have
real trouble and it is useful tocall out the elephant in the
(24:07):
room Like say oh damn, I fellagain and make a joke.
That is much better thaneveryone being all nervous and
(24:29):
sad about it and now it's goingto happen, and it's much better
if you don't panic.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Right, that's the part is so that people don't
panic.
Right, that's the part is sothat people don't panic.
I also think it's helpful, youknow, if you know that you're
doing a lot of falling andyou're really fall risk at this
point, wear some knee pads, wearsome elbow pads under your
pants.
You know, no one knows, no onecares, it protects you.
There we go.
Travis is holding up Knee padsright now.
(25:14):
I mean, I think that's a good,it's a good safety measure for
you.
And who cares, you know?
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
I mean, do the things that protect you, do the things
that are safe for you.
Be responsible for yourself,and then other people will be
able to adjust to it on a muchbetter level if you take
responsibility for yourself.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
I think that's the way to go, because there is no
one out there that I am wherethe box stops.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
That's absolutely right.
So, travis, you know, I thinkthat you've given a lot of
people this year a lot ofinspiration through your
mountain climbing, through yourart, through your willingness to
share the good and the bad ofwhat your life has been this
(26:39):
year, and I think it's sowonderful that you've given
people an opportunity tounderstand what it's like to be
a young onset person.
It's a little bit differentthan being an older person with
PD not that the symptoms arenecessarily different, but I
think the challenges of lifewhere you've gone back to school
(27:03):
, you're trying to be social.
You like to play pickleball,there are certain things you
like to do.
You like to play pickleball,there are certain things you
(27:27):
like to do, and someone oldermight not want to do those
things, but as far as I'mconcerned, for any age, you can
go back to school, you can takeup a hobby, you can do so many
different things.
It's really good for everyoneto sort of focus on this and
accept the fact that when youhave PD, you can find really
great ways of living your life.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Amen.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
And you certainly have done that, travis.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
So Yep, I certainly have done that, travis, so Yep,
and so that's all for now.
You can look forward to moreepisodes of this show in 2025.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Yes, sir, all right, Travis, wow.
Happy New Year.
Welcome to I'm Not Dead Yet with Judy and Travis, a
podcast about living anextraordinary life with
extraordinary circumstances.
Welcome to the I'm Not Dead Yetpodcast.
(00:22):
I'm your co-host, TravisRobinson.
I was diagnosed withParkinson's disease at age 35 in
2014.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
And I'm your other co-host, Judy Yarris.
My husband, Sandy, hadParkinson's disease for 18 years
.
I was his care partner.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Today's episode will be looking back on 2024.
And, of course, looking aheadto 2025.
Hey Judy, how the hell are you?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Hi Travis.
Well, at the moment, I'm verygood.
I'm a year older I'm still here, no complaints.
I mean I have a lot ofcomplaints but I'm not really
focused on complaints.
I'm a year older I'm still hereno complaints.
I mean I have a lot ofcomplaints but I'm not really
focused on complaints.
I mean I'm really into thegratitude part of my life.
This is my gratitude time.
(01:36):
I am grateful to be here,grateful to be your friend,
grateful to be able to do thispodcast with you.
Regardless of some of thesetbacks and things that 2024
brought on different levels, I'mpretty good and I'm sticking to
(01:57):
it.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Well, that's awesome to hear.
It's awesome to hear myselfhave had a few challenges this
year as well, but I'm still hereand not dead yet, so I guess
(02:24):
we'll keep doing the show, Ithink.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
So I think we have to keep it up and you still have
to keep telling your story.
And I mean, let's look at wherewe were a year ago, you know.
I mean it was the end of 2023.
2024 seemed kind of hopeful insome ways and I don't know.
I mean, I think that we'vethere were so many advances in
(02:51):
Parkinson's this year, so manyresearch advances that are so
cool, and there's so much morecoming now in 2025 in terms of
delivery systems and new drugsand all these amazing things
that are happening.
And I think you know the futurelooks good.
(03:15):
But, just staying in the momentof how do we stay positive when
the chips are down, you know,when things don't go the way we
thought they were going to go orthe way we planned it, and you,
of all people, know that.
You know that you had quite afew challenges this year, I know
(03:36):
.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
But through them all, you've continued to be positive
and keep going forward, and sothere's something to be said for
that of the mindset, what ourmind tells us.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So if you're listening to this show and you
just don't want to hear twohalf-full people, we are the
glasses that are half full.
We don't go to the half emptyright.
So I think it's a testimonialand I'm acknowledging myself on
(04:20):
this.
I don't do this very often, butI am acknowledging myself for
being willing to keep anattitude that I can always get
through it, no matter what.
No matter what the challenge is, I will find a way to work
(04:41):
through it and keep myselfpositive to work through it and
keep myself positive.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
That is true, Judy.
You've always been a veritableray of sunshine.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Thank you, travis.
I take that as a complimentbecause I think it's easy to be
down and you know, I've had mymoments where I have been down
or I have felt sad and depressed, but I call them moments.
I don't allow it to overtake me.
I mean, I think it's normal foreveryone to have those points
(05:22):
where you just feel somethingjust overtakes you and it feels
sad and it's okay to feel thatway.
We're allowed to have some sadin our lives.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yes, but the difference is who we let drive
the ship.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Right.
I think that's where you havebeen.
Great inspiration for me andfor many people, travis, is that
you always try to work throughit and find the positive in it,
even if the challenge and we docall them challenges, I think
that's that is what they arewhen something doesn't go the
(06:09):
way you planned or you have anew symptom that is kicking you
in the ass, you know it's, it'sa challenge and the challenge is
how can I work through this atthis moment in time?
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Yes, because for me it's not about like oh well, I
wish I didn't have BD, it's muchmore granular.
(06:51):
Oh, I wish I could process myfood regularly.
Or I wish I wasn't falling somuch Right, I wish that I could
(07:18):
speak more clearly, and each oneof those things is something
that I can do.
If I am applied and focused, Ican speak a little clearer or
(07:49):
maintain my balance just a bitmore.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
I think it takes a lot of brain power to do that.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
So you're constantly working on it.
You don't get a break when youhave PD.
I think this is the one thingwe have to let everyone know you
don't get a day off, right.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
No, ma'am, I sure as fuck don't.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah, there's no day off.
So what ends up happening isthat you still have to get
through that day.
You still have to get throughthose moments where maybe you're
(08:53):
sounds a little more garbled oryou're not as clear.
You just can't get the wordsout.
You can't retrieve the wordssometimes, but I think you
always look at it as what can Ido differently?
Yeah, and I think that's yourstrength, and I think that's
your strength and I think that'ssomething that we can all learn
(09:16):
from.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Yeah, it is something that I have always looked at
and, regardless of the situation, you know, what can I do to
(09:41):
improve this predicament?
Speaker 2 (09:48):
And I think we all do that.
I do that myself.
I mean I don't have PD, butI've had some physical
challenges this year where I amdoing it for a much shorter time
and hopefully eventually itwill, my brain and the muscles
(10:19):
will kick in and they'llactually work together.
So you know and I don't know,it may never happen.
I'm waiting to see.
But you know, when you have PDyou don't have that idea that oh
, if I just concentrate on this,it's going to go away and I can
(10:40):
make it better.
It doesn't work that way.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
But you still have to concentrate when you're walking
.
You still have to be in themoment, you still have to pay
attention, you have to bemindful.
You don't get to forget aboutthat part of your day.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Regardless of the situation is you know, what can
I do to improve this predicament?
You've still got to keep yourmind on your gate and your
(11:27):
walking Right.
It's an important part of whatyou do, walking.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Right.
It's an important part of whatyou do in your day and it's the
part that is so automatic formost people.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
But for people with Parkinson's it is not Right.
Oh, I was sick Weird.
Oh, I was sick earlier.
I've had a pretty good year.
Art I use.
(12:05):
This year, yes, I learned howto paint and I've started
(12:47):
watercolor painting.
That has improved my drawingfrom stick figures to better
stick figures.
And I released two books onphotography this year and I was
very pleased with how they bothturned out.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
That's amazing, travis, I mean kudos to you for
doing that.
That's pretty fantastic, andthe fact that you're doing
watercolors, which I know is sodifficult.
I have a good friend who'staking watercolor classes now
and it's very challenging, soI'm amazed that you're willing
(13:28):
to tackle that at this point intime.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Well, I don't have any other mind in time that we
can access.
So, yeah, it's all about whatcan I do right now.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Right, what can you do right now.
I think that's a really goodpoint.
I mean, I like that saying whatcan I do right now?
That's a really important wayto look at things, rather than
what can't I do right now, whatcan I do right now.
And I know you well enough toknow that when you go into these
(14:17):
classes, you sort of go in withwhat I call an open heart and
no expectations, am I right?
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
So you're willing to just see what happens with it.
It's like throwing confetti inthe air and seeing where it
falls, and I love that.
I love that you aren't hard onyourself and that you accept
whatever comes out of it.
(14:50):
For me, that is amazing, andI'm so impressed with the fact
that you're willing to do it andI'm excited to see what it
looks like.
And just, I'm going to throw ina commercial here because it
looks like we're going to bedoing, because it looks like
we're going to be doing LivingArtistically the beginning of
(15:14):
2026.
There's some exciting news thatI'll get to share after the
first day of the year about this, but the Living Artistically
art show will probably happen in2026.
And so Living Artistically withParkinson's is alive and well,
(15:37):
and it will take on a differentform for 2025.
But in 2026, it will be rightup your alley.
So stay tuned, folks, for thatone.
And it gives you plenty of timeto master what you're doing.
Travis, you have a whole yearRight.
(16:00):
A whole year to practice A wholeyear to practice Something to
look forward to, and so I thinkyou know that's something that I
think we forget about and thatis having something to look
forward to.
As a little kid, I think theylook forward to, like, the first
(16:23):
day of school, they lookforward to their birthday, they
might look forward to Christmasor Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, whatever
they celebrate.
I think as adults we forget tolook forward to something
because we get caught up in allthe shit of daily life.
(16:44):
That kind of drags us down.
You know, the mundane thingsthat we don't want to deal with,
that kind of, are difficult forus.
But I think if we can reallyfocus on looking forward,
looking forward to somethingspecial, it gives us the hope
(17:07):
and the strength to pull fromwithin and make that really
important and make it reallyspecial.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Yes, and it is so essential for me to have things
that I look forward to startingclasses again in the spring,
(17:42):
visiting my friends this holidayseason yes, it is really
important for me to have thingsto look forward to.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
I think that's great, travis, and the fact that
you're willing to go visitfriends, you're willing to go
put yourself out there, go tosomeone else's home, even though
there might be some challengesthere.
But I know you well and usuallyyou prepare for that.
You know if you want to givesome helpful hints to anyone
that might be listening.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Yeah, reparation is a lot, and now, if you care about
that, I always make sure mineis stocked with extra meds,
(18:57):
extra clothes, extra food andsome sort of bubbly beverage
(19:38):
that's great, that's really goodA bullying beverage, extra meds
with them when they're goingsomewhere, even if you know
you're just going for anafternoon.
But it's a good idea to haveextra things with you when
(20:00):
you're out.
Yes, because if you become thelight, well then the trouble.
That is my thought, and so Idon't leave the house without a
few extra pills to get methrough the next two or three
doses.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
That's really smart.
That's a great way to approachit.
Do you prepare, like whenyou're going to someone else's
house?
Do you prepare other people forif they haven't seen you for a
while?
Do you give them a heads upabout how you're doing, or do
you let it be a surprise?
How do you approach that?
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Um, it really depends on what I expect them to do
about it.
Like, if I am really ball-prone, I give them a quick heads up,
(21:14):
but if I'm just having troubletalking, then I don't usually.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Uh-huh.
Okay, that's fair enough, sothat if you're going to
someone's house I think that's agreat idea Let them know that
you've been falling a lot, thatit's not for them to be too
concerned about.
If you take a fall at theirhouse and also do a little
homework Like I always didhomework if we got invited
(21:52):
somewhere, how many steps arethere, you know?
Is it kind?
of right Kind of rugs?
Do they have lots of area rugs,like, what are the things that
could be a problem or beproblematic for for using a
walker be problematic for usinga walker, you know, or even
(22:15):
someone that maybe is using acane, or maybe someone who
doesn't want to use either anykind of assistive device?
But you're going to havepitfalls at this house, and so I
think it's good to do that Also, letting people know that it's
not that you're insulting themby not eating certain foods, but
certain foods may be difficultfor you from a choking
(22:36):
standpoint, right, so you cannotattempt them, and that that's
okay too.
I mean, all of those things canbe really helpful when you're
going to someone else's home.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Right.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
And I think even when people would come to our home
for holidays and things, when wewould have a party or something
, I would just sort of giveeverybody a heads up that was
coming.
Oh, sandy's had sort of a badweek.
He may be really great, bereally great.
(23:16):
He may not be, and it's okay.
We want you to come, he wantsto see you, but don't be
concerned if you see that hegoes to lay down for a few
minutes, or if he's not astalkative or you know whatever.
I think that's important.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Yes, and it helps people to feel more comfortable
when they're around you.
I notice that for me when Ihave real trouble and I have
real trouble and it is useful tocall out the elephant in the
(24:07):
room Like say oh damn, I fellagain and make a joke.
That is much better thaneveryone being all nervous and
(24:29):
sad about it and now it's goingto happen, and it's much better
if you don't panic.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Right, that's the part is so that people don't
panic.
Right, that's the part is sothat people don't panic.
I also think it's helpful, youknow, if you know that you're
doing a lot of falling andyou're really fall risk at this
point, wear some knee pads, wearsome elbow pads under your
pants.
You know, no one knows, no onecares, it protects you.
There we go.
Travis is holding up Knee padsright now.
(25:14):
I mean, I think that's a good,it's a good safety measure for
you.
And who cares, you know?
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
I mean, do the things that protect you, do the things
that are safe for you.
Be responsible for yourself,and then other people will be
able to adjust to it on a muchbetter level if you take
responsibility for yourself.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
I think that's the way to go, because there is no
one out there that I am wherethe box stops.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
That's absolutely right.
So, travis, you know, I thinkthat you've given a lot of
people this year a lot ofinspiration through your
mountain climbing, through yourart, through your willingness to
share the good and the bad ofwhat your life has been this
(26:39):
year, and I think it's sowonderful that you've given
people an opportunity tounderstand what it's like to be
a young onset person.
It's a little bit differentthan being an older person with
PD not that the symptoms arenecessarily different, but I
think the challenges of lifewhere you've gone back to school
(27:03):
, you're trying to be social.
You like to play pickleball,there are certain things you
like to do.
You like to play pickleball,there are certain things you
(27:27):
like to do, and someone oldermight not want to do those
things, but as far as I'mconcerned, for any age, you can
go back to school, you can takeup a hobby, you can do so many
different things.
It's really good for everyoneto sort of focus on this and
accept the fact that when youhave PD, you can find really
great ways of living your life.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Amen.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
And you certainly have done that, travis.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
So Yep, I certainly have done that, travis, so Yep,
and so that's all for now.
You can look forward to moreepisodes of this show in 2025.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Yes, sir, all right, Travis, wow.
Happy New Year.
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