Human Powered Potential

Last week the MJFF website reported that Vyalev, an infusion-based Parkinson's treatment, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ✅ • This system continuously releases a combination of foscarbidopa and foslevodopa (derivatives carbidopa and levodopa) into the patient 24 hours a day, avoiding many of the issues of the drugs as an oral treatment. 💊 • AbbVie, the people that offer Vylev created something similar nine years ago in the form of Duopa. This made history by becoming the first infusion pump for the condition. The drawback of this system was that it it was administered directly into the small intestine through a stomach tube, which required surgery. This new system solves that issue by being the first subcutaneous (under the skin) infusion system for Parkinson's. 💪 • The full story from @michaeljfoxorg is here: https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/fda-approves-new-infusion-based-treatment-parkinsons 🌐 • The MJFF is monitoring 151 treatments in clinical testing for Parkinson's. 🙌 • #worldstoughestrow #pacific2024 #oceanrowing #extremesports #pacific #parkinsons #mjffoundation #mjfcharitablefoundation #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawareness #poweroverpd #teamfox #inspiredtoendure

From climbing trees as children, to technical rock climbing...despite being a bipedal species seemingly built to walk long distances across the plains, we humans certainly seem to like to climb! 🧗‍♂️ • Perhaps its a vestigial need from our ape ancestors, perhaps it's simply a desire to be able to see further...but there is something about it that draws us. 💖 • As a former professional mountain guide, and high altitude climber, Brendan takes his love for climbing to the next level! So taking time out with his family recently to head to the mountains, under a beautiful blue sky...was the perfect break. ☺️ • Whilst keeping fit in any capacity is brilliant for all of us, heading away from the world of treadmills and spin bikes and into the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains elevates the emotional benefits ten-fold! ✖️🔟 • #worldstoughestrow #pacific2024 #oceanrowing #extremesports #pacific #parkinsons #mjffoundation #mjfcharitablefoundation #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawareness #poweroverpd #teamfox #inspiredtoendure @teamfoxmjff @michaeljfoxorg

Brendan is back out in the mountains with his son Evan and his dog! 👨‍👦🐕 • This time whilst summitting the almost 13,000 foot peak of Engineer Mountain in the San Juan Mountains! ⛰️ • Spending time in the mountains has been an enormous part of Brendan's recovery from the row. The transition from ocean row to normality can have a big impact on ocean rowers, but Brendan is finding that being in places like this are just the tonic that he needs to keep himself feeling fit and happy. 😀 • And honestly, with views like these, in 'summer' conditions in mid-October, with family...how could it fail to put a smile on anyone's face! 😁 • #worldstoughestrow #pacific2024 #oceanrowing #extremesports #pacific #parkinsons #mjffoundation #mjfcharitablefoundation #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawareness #poweroverpd #teamfox #inspiredtoendure @teamfoxmjff @michaeljfoxorg #engineermountain

A year after his diagnosis, journalist Mark Mardell said during an interview "Just as people are becoming more open to talking about mental health, I think being more open to talking about Parkinson’s is a good thing." - and this is a really important point. • One of the most challenging times in a Parkinson's journey, is directly after the diagnosis. The specialist has provided their opinion, and given some advice, but at some point the patient leaves the specialists office and is sat considering what their life will now be like. • Talking about it honestly and openly then, as a community, makes an enormous difference. It not only provides a level of catharsis to the person talking about their diagnosis, but to other sufferers (and particularly people diagnosed recently) hearing other people's stories helps them to navigate their own journey. ☸️ • Much like when the team prepared to row an ocean; they didn't just get in a boat and row off into the horizon - they got expert advice, they discussed their upcoming journey with others. And whilst not every piece of advice was right for them, it all helped them evaluate the most suitable path. It helped them make valuable short cuts to level-up their training, to get the best kit, to prepare themselves mentally in the best possible way. 💪 • Talking about an upcoming challenge or journey, be that a crazy expedition, or a Parkinson's diagnosis - it's incredibly valuable; both to the journeyer, and to anyone that listens. 👂 • Background image by @worlds.toughest.row • #worldstoughestrow #pacific2024 #oceanrowing #extremesports #pacific #parkinsons #mjffoundation #mjfcharitablefoundation #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawareness #poweroverpd #teamfox #inspiredtoendure @TeamFoxMJFF @michaeljfoxorg

Many ocean rowers experience hallucinations at sea due to exhaustion and dehydration...but did you know that hallucinations are also a symptom of Parkinson's? • Parkinson's symptoms are extremely diverse, and not everyone gets the same symptoms - it's one of the reasons it's so hard to detect early. But in the latest podcast from @michaeljfoxorg they discuss Parkinson's related hallucinations and delusions - and it's worth a listen to understand how this impacts both the person with PD and the people around them. • As with many areas of Parkinson's there is still research to be done to get to the bottom of it - but often it appears these hallucinations can be a reaction to the medication rather than the condition itself. • Take a listen to this interesting discussion into this lesser known symptom at https://www.michaeljfox.org/podcast/conversation-parkinsons-related-hallucinations-and-delusions-webinar-audio - or simply search for the Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson's Podcast on itunes, spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 • #worldstoughestrow #pacific2024 #oceanrowing #extremesports #pacific #parkinsons #mjffoundation #mjfcharitablefoundation #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawareness #poweroverpd #teamfox #inspiredtoendure @teamfoxmjff

Reunited! 🤝 • With Pat behind the camera we can see that he and Dena met up with Pete and Tara in Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. 🥰 • It is the first time that Pat and Pete have seen each other since the row, and it was brilliant to be able to spend some quality time together. 😍 • Of course, they chose to spend some of that time on the water - but instead of gigantic waves crashing over them, and going to the toilet in a bucket, it was a very relaxing time spent aboard a motor-driven boat, enjoying the stunning scenery, and each other's company. 🚤🙌 • (No confirmation on whether a bucket was used!!) 🪣😉 • #worldstoughestrow #pacific2024 #oceanrowing #extremesports #pacific #parkinsons #mjffoundation #mjfcharitablefoundation #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawareness #poweroverpd #teamfox #inspiredtoendure @teamfoxmjff @michaeljfoxorg