Kia ora, friends. It’s Kitty here.

I want to share a little bit about our most recent Ordinary Life episode— one of the most honest and heartfelt conversations Emma and I have had on air. We called it “Fun with Parkinson’s”—a bit tongue-in-cheek, because really, fun isn’t the word I’d usually pair with a chronic illness. But what came out of the discussion was real, raw, and, in some moments, surprisingly funny.

Let’s be clear: neither Emma nor I are doctors. We’re not offering medical advice or miracle cures. What we are is experienced—experts, in fact—on living our lives with Parkinson’s. And sometimes, that lived experience is worth more than all the leaflets in the world.

This episode was sparked by a question we both get asked far too often: what advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed? It’s a heavy question, especially because when you’re newly diagnosed, everything feels like it’s spinning. You go from zero to panic in five seconds, especially if—like me—you’re handed a diagnosis with little more than a “there, there, there” and a prescription.

When I was told I had Parkinson’s, I didn’t even know what it was. Neither did the friend I told that same day. That moment—two adults looking at each other and going, “What’s that?”—has stuck with me. Because for all the medical definitions and symptom lists, Parkinson’s is something you have to live to understand.

One of the things that struck me during our chat was just how much useless (and sometimes laughable) advice we’ve both received. People don’t mean harm, but when you’re in the middle of coming to terms with a life-altering condition, being told to try yoga or turmeric tea isn’t exactly helpful. (Though it must be noted that yoga has been incredibly useful!) Worse still is the pity—the awkward silences, the people who start crying, the ones who suddenly treat you like a walking tragedy.

Emma even joked that having Parkinson’s turns you into a walking health report. Everywhere she goes, someone wants an update: “How’s your health?” They mean well, she said, “but sometimes you just want to talk about the weather, you know?”

What helped me most wasn’t Google (although I did that, too, with some horrifying results). It was connection. A person from Parkinson’s New Zealand came to see me soon after my diagnosis, and that visit made all the difference. Finally, someone who got it. That’s why we kept circling back to the importance of community in our episode. You can’t do this alone, and you shouldn’t have to.I’ve learned a lot in the years since that diagnosis. I’ve learned that life doesn’t end—it just shifts. Yes, I’ve had hard days, including the business that collapsed during COVID. But I’ve also retrained and started a new career. I work full-time now. That’s something I never would have imagined back when I first heard the words “Parkinson’s disease.”

TOP TIPS FROM EMMA AND KITTY:

💬 Tell someone. Don’t bottle it up. Shame thrives in silence, and there’s nothing shameful about having Parkinson’s.

👣 Keep moving. Exercise, even if it’s gentle, is one of the best tools we have.

💤 Sleep, eat, and breathe. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight—just take it one bit at a time.

📚 Find your people. Whether it’s online, through support groups, or radio shows like ours—don’t do it alone.

😂 Laugh at everything. Even when stuff gets dark. Actually, laugh especially hard at the dark stuff.

We ended the show with what’s become a bit of a mantra: eat well, sleep well, and exercise. And I’ll add this—reach out. You can find us at justme.nz, or email me directly at kitty@justme.nz.

Emma and I are always up for a kōrero.

Until next time, take care of yourselves.

Ka kite anō,—Kitty 🧡