When life gets tough, we often turn to our passions for comfort and solace. For Jerome Maume, that passion is singing. But more than just a hobby, singing has become a powerful tool for Maume to maintain a positive outlook and live his best life. In an exclusive interview with Annmarie O’Connor, Maume shares how he incorporates singing into his daily routine and how it has helped him through some of life’s biggest challenges. From mental health struggles to career setbacks, Maume’s story is a testament to the transformative power of music and positivity.
A new podcast series called “Living Your Best Life: A Parkinson’s Podcast” has been released by Parkinson’s disease advocate Annmarie O’Connor in collaboration with the Irish Examiner to coincide with World Parkinson’s Day. The series features five episodes that focus on Parkinson’s disease in Ireland and includes real-life stories from people who have experienced the disease firsthand. Among those featured are people living with Parkinson’s disease, a caregiver and spouse, and a specialist Parkinson’s nurse.
According to Annmarie, the podcast highlights the personal stories of people in the Irish Parkinson’s community, their challenges, and the tools they use to live their best lives. In the first episode, Annmarie shares her story of early-onset Parkinson’s diagnosis and how routine, education, and perspective help her live her best life. The second episode features Jerome Maume, who shares his story of early-onset Parkinson’s and how exercise, singing, and a positive attitude help him.
The other episodes include Parkinson’s advocate and co-founder of My Moves Matter app, Richelle Flanagan, who shares her story of early-onset Parkinson’s, and Kate Wilkinson, whose husband Tony was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015, shares her experience as a spouse becoming a caregiver. Finally, Annmarie hears from the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland’s specialist nurse, Lisa Wynne, who shares her experience of helping the newly diagnosed.
Approximately 15,000 people in Ireland have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and the majority are over the age of 65 years. However, early-onset Parkinson’s can affect people aged 20 and older, and it is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, after Alzheimer’s disease.
Annmarie hopes to spread awareness about the condition and bring about positive social change through “Living Your Best Life: A Parkinson’s Podcast.” She was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s in December 2021 and shared her story in the Irish Examiner last year, detailing her symptoms, diagnosis, and life since then. Her passion for spreading awareness about Parkinson’s disease was further highlighted when she appeared on the Tommy Tiernan show and spoke about her experience with Parkinson’s disease, receiving a huge reaction that inspired her to start the podcast.
The Parkinson’s Association of Ireland will host a virtual conference on April 15 to raise awareness and provide education for people living with the disease, family members, and health professionals. The online conference will be chaired by pharmacist and former TD Kate O’Connell, and Annmarie is among the guest speakers on the day.
In conclusion, “Living Your Best Life: A Parkinson’s Podcast” is an excellent initiative to bring awareness about Parkinson’s disease, its challenges and how people can live their best life with the disease. The series provides valuable insights into the personal experiences of those living with Parkinson’s disease, offering practical tools that can help others manage the disease. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about Parkinson’s disease, including patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
In our world filled with hardships and obstacles, it’s easy to get lost in despair and allow ourselves to fall apart. But Jerome Maume has shown us that incorporating positivity and singing into our lives can do wonders in helping us live our best life. His journey is a testament to the power of music in healing and the importance of having a positive mindset to conquer any challenge that comes our way. Let’s take inspiration from his story and commit to embracing a more positive outlook, singing our hearts out and living our best life!
