In this episode, Living with Parkinson’s Meetup (formerly the YOPD Council) panelists discuss:
- Common hurtful phrases they hear from people without Parkinson’s including, “I know how you feel” and “everybody’s got something”
- The importance of “listening for the love”
- The fact that many hurtful comments come from the people we love and can often stem from misunderstanding
- How to use hurtful comments as a teaching moment
- Communicating to others that Parkinson’s doesn’t always have to be the topic of conversation
- Dealing with people who try to ascribe meaning to their Parkinson’s, who don’t understand the non-motor symptoms they struggle with, and who misinterpret going on disability
- Being asked to “stop shaking” during medical appointments
- When and how to share your Parkinson’s diagnosis with others
- How to explain the “inconsistencies” with Parkinson’s
- Their favorite things that people without Parkinson’s have said
Visit the accompanying blog post for this episode here: http://davisphinneyfoundation.org/podcast-recording-what-not-to-say-to-a-person-with-parkinsons