Parky Books
The Movers & Shakers are back for another season of informative, inspiring and possibly even entertaining conversations. To kick off season 9, we're speaking to three Parky authors, who have written about... Parkinson's! Miller Caldwell, David Blacker and Jodie Forbes joined us to talk about their writing, of course, why we write, and how creativity can come to us when we least expect it.
Each week, Rory Cellan-Jones guides us between the laughs and moans in the pub. To read Rory's summary of this week's episode, click here.
Guest Biographies
Miller Caldwell
Miller Caldwell is the author of 40 titles, from children's novels, to film scripts. He worked as a Regional Reporter to the Children's Panels until the age of 53, when he retired following a diagnosis of MCI and became an author.
David Blacker
Professor David Blacker is the Perron Institute Medical Director as well as a consultant neurologist at the Perron Institute and at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH). In 2018 he became both doctor and patient following his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease.
Professor Blacker is still committed to the Perron Institute and SCGH and continues to look for therapeutic solutions to relieve suffering. With professional fitness trainer Rai Fazio, a former Golden Gloves champion, and a team they have developed a non-contact boxing program, FIGHT-PD. [Source: Perron Institute]
Jodie Forbes
Jodie Forbes is a computer science/data person by background but was diagnosed with PD over 9 years ago. He semi-retired from a 30 year corporate career in 2022 to see how he could contribute to PD research. He did an MSc in Neuroscience at King’s College London and now work sfreelance for organisations like MJFF in the US and Cure Parkinson’s in the UK mostly doing data science type work. He is also a patient representative on various initiatives like ACT-PD and runs a YouTube channel for people affected by PD called Lived Health Parkinson's. [Source: Michael J. Fox Foundation]
