All About Parkinson's NZ

22/09/2025

Join Dave and Kuhan as they celebrate 50 episodes of 2 parkies in a pod 🥳 They look back at the ‘Best Bits’ and reflect on the impact the podcast has had on their own Parkinson’s journeys 🙏🏼🎧 www.2parkiesinapod.com

18/09/2025

On a bitter late winter’s afternoon in Masterton, five hardy characters braved the frigid temperatures to spar in a community boxing gym.

Full story ⬇️

18/09/2025

Brad was just 2 months into his Parkinson's diagnosis when he reached out to us, asking if we considered interviewing someone like him - someone who is brand...

16/09/2025

“Stay calm and be brave.”

Getting a Parkinson’s diagnosis affects everyone differently. You might feel shocked, confused, angry, anxious or relieved to have an explanation for your symptoms.

We asked the community what’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone newly diagnosed. This is what they said.

“Take your time to breathe, so you can try and work through the journey as it is tough.”

“Don’t let anyone pressure you into telling people about your diagnosis until you’re ready.”

“Remember your family is always here to listen, never ball up your feelings about it.”

No matter how you’re feeling, we’re here for you. Our range of newly diagnosed resources can support you and your loved ones. Find out more here: https://prksn.uk/3VcMriL

16/09/2025

Neurological researcher Dr Hayley MacDonald works at the University of Bergen where she researches impulse control in people with neurological disorders.

15/09/2025

A bit more on the Camino de Santiago adventure. 🚶🚶‍♀️

The 38-day pilgrimage will take them through France and Spain.

15/09/2025

Implementing Shaping Through Hands-On Facilitation ✨️

Shaping in Parkinson's rehabilitation is like being a movement coach who helps someone relearn how to move properly. When someone has PD, their brain forgets how to make normal-sized movements—everything gets smaller and smaller. Hands-on facilitation acts as a physical guide to help retrain these movement patterns.

Understanding the Approach: Think of hands-on facilitation like being a dance partner or sports coach who physically guides movement. The therapist places their hands gently on the client's arm, shoulder, or back, guiding them through correct movement patterns whilst helping them feel what normal-sized movements should be like.

- The Progressive Process: Just like learning to ride a bike with training wheels before riding independently, shaping follows a systematic progression:
1. Initial Guidance: The therapist provides full hands-on support, physically guiding the client through the desired movement pattern
2. Partial Assistance: Gradually reduce physical guidance whilst maintaining tactile cues to remind the body of the correct pattern
3. Independent Practice: The client practices the movement with minimal or no physical support
4. Automatic Integration: Through repetition, the brain begins to remember and execute the movement automatically

- Practical Application: For example, if a client's arm swing has become very small during walking, the therapist might stand beside them and gently guide their arm through a large, normal swing motion. They repeat this process multiple times so the body remembers what it feels like, gradually reducing assistance until the client can perform the large arm swing independently.

- Building Motor Memory: This hands-on approach works by showing the body what correct movement feels like, practicing it repeatedly until it becomes natural again, and building confidence that normal movement is possible. The physical guidance helps retrain the brain's "automatic pilot" for movement that Parkinson's has disrupted.

15/09/2025

13/09/2025

"I was diagnosed with at 43 years old, almost 3 years ago now. In my research of this disease, I found Jimmy Choi - Fox Ninja and was inspired by him. I was quite overweight at the time and knew that had to change. In the last 18 months, I've lost just shy of 100 lbs and am getting myself into much better shape. I'm no athlete or runner but I did challenge myself to the toughest hike I'd ever tried on Roy's Peak in New Zealand (10 mile length, 4500 ft elevation gain) last December. My improved fitness has made things I used to struggle with far easier as I now have the strength to overcome my deficits. We have to keep moving!"
—Ben

13/09/2025

13/09/2025

Across the ditch. 🎤 🎶

We’re releasing a Pop Choir single dedicated to everyone touched by 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀 and related illnesses. Proceeds and donations will support 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗨𝗽 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, established in partnership with 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗝. 𝗙𝗼𝘅 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, to help fund innovative research here in Australia.

This song is especially close to our hearts. It honours 𝗟𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀, father of Pop Choir co-founder 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀. Len was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011 and passed away from 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮 in 2018. We sing this for Len, and for every family walking this path. Shake It Up Australia Foundation for Parkinson's Research