What does the first year after a diagnosis really feel like — for the care partner? Darla Dahl, care partner to Dean Dahl (Episode 173), joins Jessica and Melissa to talk about going from hit-like-a-brick-wall to finally not thinking about it 24-7.
Darla has been a care partner since 2015 — for her mother-in-law, for her dad — but nothing prepared her for hearing those words about her husband in October 2025. In this honest patient-to-partner conversation she shares what helped most in year one: a virtual Struthers Parkinson's Center support group for newly diagnosed families, giving herself permission to quilt, knit and create even if it's just 10 minutes, and buying an RV in Arizona in January to prove life wasn't over — van life, tailgates, and workouts on the road with bands and free weights.
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to The Secret Life of Parkinson's with Darla Dahl
02:30 Diagnosed October 2025 - hit like a brick wall
06:15 Support group + making time to quilt and create
09:40 We bought an RV - van life freedom
13:10 Today thoughts vs future thoughts
16:20 World Parkinson's Congress, anticipatory grief, and lasting friendships
19:30 Thumbs up / thumbs down communication tip
21:30 Last 30 seconds takeaway
This episode of The Secret Life of Parkinson's was brought to you by Changing Parkinson's. If this podcast has meant something to you, consider making a gift to help keep it going. Visit changingparkinsons.org to give, get moving with PD Next Steps home workouts, or join our newsletter.
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