It’s April 11, 2024 ans in honor of World Parkinson's Awareness Day, I had the privilege of sharing my journey with Parkinson's Disease through a heartfelt interview on Jessica Flynn's show, "Empowered," broadcast on Rogers TV and available on Jess’s YouTube Channel, The Jessica Flynn.

Throughout the interview, viewers are given a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the realities of living with Parkinson's Disease, showcased through the lens of my medication cycle. Initially, you'll find me in what's known as an 'off period'—a phase where my medication levels dip, leaving my body in a state of withdrawal. It's a vulnerable moment, marked by the absence of the drugs that help manage my symptoms.

As the interview progresses, you'll witness the onset of Orthostatic Hypertension—a direct response to my medication kicking in and flooding my system with dopamine. This phase is intense; my heart races, mimicking the sensation of running a marathon, accompanied by rapid tremors, accelerated speech, and a noticeable shortness of breath.

Eventually, there's a brief respite where I feel somewhat 'normal-ish,' a fleeting 30 minutes of manageability before the next wave hits.

Next you see me go into the ‘Dyskinesia Phase' Viewers will see firsthand the convulsions, twisting, and twitching that characterize this phase. It's a stark reminder of the complex trade-offs faced when managing Parkinson's—choosing between the lesser of two discomforts.

Living with Parkinson's is a daily balancing act, a choice between battling slowed movements, apathy, and dystonia, or wrestling with involuntary muscle movements. It's a nuanced struggle that adds an extra layer to navigating everyday life with this disease.

This candid conversation aired earlier this week and will be rebroadcast on Friday, April 12, at 4 pm on Rogers TV, Collingwood Cable 53. It's an opportunity not just to witness my journey, but to gain a deeper understanding of what it is like to be a woman with YOPD and the strength it takes to face each day with resilience.

Sharing this experience on "Empowered" with Jessica Flynn was not just about shedding light on my personal battle with Parkinson's. It's about raising awareness, fostering understanding, and building a bridge of empathy on a platform that reaches many. As we observe World Parkinson's Awareness Day, let's continue to support those in our lives navigating this challenging path, and remember the power of shared stories in our collective journey towards compassion and awareness.