Host Larry Gifford closes our four-part series on stigma and Parkinson's with a conversation with Brian Grant about his personal experiences with stigma and his thoughts on the stereotypes of people with Parkinson's disease.

More about Brian Grant:

Brian Grant was an NBA idol, known for tenacious rebounding and a fearless attitude on the court. During his 12‐year career, he played for five teams and became a strong contributor to his surrounding communities. In 2006, Brian retired from professional basketball. Only two years later, he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease at age 36. He started the Brian Grant Foundation to help people with Parkinson’s lead fulfilling lives.

Stigma for people with Parkinson's disease is a global issue, and its manifestations can vary across different countries and cultures. In this episode, host Larry Gifford speaks with Nduta M'mbogori about her experience being diagnosed and living with Parkinson's in Nairobi, Kenya.

Societal expectations and assumptions about how Parkinson’s presents for women can lead to women being overlooked in terms of their own needs and experiences. In this episode, host Larry Gifford talks to Sree Sripathy and Richelle Flanagan, co-founders of the Women's Parkinson's Project, about Parkinson’s Stigma for Women.

More about our guests:

Richelle Flanagan
Richelle is a CORU state registered dietitian who has been practicing for 20 years. She was president and CEO of the of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI), the professional body for Dietitians in Ireland. She was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s Disease shortly after the birth of her second child. She is a World Parkinson Congress Ambassador and a member of the Dublin Committee of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland. She is particularly passionate about two areas (1) the importance of diet for PD and (2) the unmet needs of women with PD. She is a co-founder of the Women’s Parkinson’s Project and co-founder of a digital health start-up, My Moves Matter, a digital self-care companion to empower people with Parkinson’s to live better lives.

Sree Sripathy
Sree is a photographer and writer. She is an Ambassador for the Davis Phinney Foundation and a co-Founder of the Women's Parkinson's Project. She was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease in 2015 and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Women with PD Hormone Study links referenced in the podcast:

• "Tracking Parkinson’s Disease (PD) symptoms, medications, and menstruation"
• Take the survey.
• News story - World's First Hormone Study in Women with Parkinson's Launches.