Episode Playlist
Ages & Stages( 0:16:9)
Episode Information
We talk about the huge range of different symptoms captured by the Parkinson's bucket, and how we experience some and not others at different times, and about how we (try to) roll with this. Adapt and keep moving people!
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua, proudly supported by NZ On Air. Learn more at www.coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 24/02/2026 2:00:00 p.m.
Feel the Fear( 0:18:51)
Episode Information
We're feeling the fear and doing it anyway in this episode! Kitty and Emma talk about how scary it is to be disabled in public, and the various ways we're both showing up in our own lives. Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinsons, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 17/02/2026 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Perfect Planning( 0:16:31)
Episode Information
Having a plan and knowing what's right and wrong is great, but who comes up with these great ideas that actually don't help at all? Kitty and Mike talk about examples of some things that are supposed to help keep us safe, but real life doesn't always follow the plan that's been made by others. Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinsons, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 10/02/2026 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Whose Illness Is This Anyway? ( 0:16:19)
Episode Information
Parkinson's is bad enough for those with the disease, but what about those around us? What impact does this have on our children, does it shape their view, affect their day to day lives? We talk to Kitty's daughter Amelia about her thoughts on living with those affected by changing health.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinsons, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 3/02/2026 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Emma's Auckland Adventure ( 0:15:45)
Episode Information
Emma talks about her appointment at Auckland Hospital for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), an invasive yet effective treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's. How does she feel, and how does one cope with the prospect of such major surgery? Contains graphic descriptions of treatments.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinsons, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 27/01/2026 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Deep Brain Stimulation( 0:16:27)
Episode Information
Kitty talks to Emma about her upcoming appointment in Auckland Hospital to discuss the possibility of undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinsons, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 6/01/2026 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Timing of Medications( 0:14:56)
Episode Information
We talk about hospitals and the policy to prevent patients taking medications prescribed elsewhere, and the impact this has on people with long-term chronic illness.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinsons, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 30/12/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Where's your head at?( 0:15:49)
Episode Information
Discussing the mental mind games we play with ourselves, and how other people perceive the cause of our issues.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 23/12/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Prescribing Poverty( 0:15:44)
Episode Information
We talk about the reintroduction of prescription charges and how its increasing the costs of chronic illness on families.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 16/12/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - The Parkinsons Dichotomy( 0:15:56)
Episode Information
We get riled up about the grim stories about Parkinson's that charities use to attract donations, and how difficult hearing them can be for people trying to live positively with Parkinson's. Are we just being difficult? Or are these contradictory things both true - that it is hard living with Parkinson's AND possible to live positively with it?
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 9/12/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - The Secrets and Lies( 0:15:56)
Episode Information
Is it a good idea to fess up that you have PD to your boss or prospective employer? What happens if you do and they discriminate against you?
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinsons, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 2/12/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - The Discrimination Business( 0:17:26)
Episode Information
Is honesty the best policy when it comes to opening up to others about your diagnosis? And can you deal with the whispers of sympathy?
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 25/11/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Grief and Fury( 0:17:4)
Episode Information
"How do you cope when you realise that your life is not going to follow the direction you imagined? Emma and Kitty discuss 'self-grief' - their term for this agonising situation. They express their feelings and explain how grief can turn to anger and other emotions.
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Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 18/11/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Beautiful Big Pharma( 0:16:16)
Episode Information
Inspired after watching a drama that implied that all drugs are bad, Kitty and Emma chat about attitudes towards medication and taking many pills. Is it really acceptable to question if people need the medication they are prescribed? What alternatives are there?
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 11/11/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Scentsing Parkinson's( 0:14:55)
Episode Information
Kitty and Emma discuss a range of "typical" Parkinson's symptoms like losing your sense of smell.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 4/11/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Park Your Stress!( 0:15:47)
Episode Information
Kitty and Emma catch up for a debrief on stress in their lives (and how to manage it down) and end up discussing disability parking!
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 28/10/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Need for Support( 0:16:53)
Episode Information
Kitty and Emma talk with Mike about the lack of support available for survivors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and about Kitty and Mike's life together, both coping with chronic illness.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 21/10/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Living with the Effects of Sudden Cardiac Arrest( 0:14:57)
Episode Information
Kitty and Emma talk to Mike Doyle (Kitty's husband) about his experiences living with the effects of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. This episode highlights October as Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, which is aimed at increasing public awareness about the signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, and educating people on CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 14/10/2025 2:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - The Time Thief ( 0:15:21)
Episode Information
Parkinson’s is a thief, stealing our time with life admin and strict routines. How do we fight off this light fingered character... lets discuss!
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 5/10/2025 12:30:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - On / Off( 0:15:42)
Episode Information
Dealing with the pain of medication wearing off and the various Parkinsons symptoms this gives us. Swinging from on (everything's great) to off (everything is bad) is disabling and exhausting, but we just keep on, keeping on!
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 28/09/2025 12:30:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Why Does No One Care I Have Parkinsons?( 0:18:1)
Episode Information
In this episode we discuss the rock and hard place of wanting people to be compassionate when we tell them that we have Parkinson's, while also getting regularly annoyed when they do!
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 21/09/2025 12:30:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Diet - helpful or no for Parkinsons symptoms?( 0:16:1)
Episode Information
Can diets help (or not) with the symptoms of Parkinson's and weight loss? Kitty and Emma talk about their experiences in changing their diets and how it has helped (or not helped) them both with the symptoms of Parkinson's and weight loss.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 17/09/2025 2:30:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Stuff We Said We'd Do( 0:16:16)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 7/09/2025 12:30:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Travel and Do Cartwheels( 0:15:52)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
In this episode, Kitty and Emma talk about their ongoing need for fun and doing things that scare them!
Published: 24/08/2025 12:30:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Positively Unsurprised( 0:14:21)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket. In this episode, we talk about how famous people with Parkinson's are portrayed in the media and how we want more positive messages about living with Parkinson's.
Published: 17/08/2025 12:30:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Connections( 0:29:29)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket. This episode is about the importance of connection with community when you're living with chronic illness.
Published: 2/08/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Anniversary( 0:30:46)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 20/07/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Walking 100 miles( 0:29:34)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 6/07/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Just keep walking( 0:31:42)
Episode Information
Just Keep Walking: Kitty talks with Emma about the battle remain positive when dealing with unsolicited advice and stress, and Kitty's determination to walk 100 miles in May.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 25/05/2025 11:45:00 a.m.
Ordinary Life - Just another awareness day( 0:27:52)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 11/05/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Kitty talks Parkinson's( 0:25:26)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 30/03/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Ups and downs of day to day life( 0:22:21)
Episode Information
Kitty talks to Catherine about the ups and downs of day to day life with a chronic illness. Does getting married count as the day-to-day?! How does stress affect everything? How does she cope? Real, genuine and a touch of all out silly - after all, laughter is indeed the best medicine! Check in with Kitty and Catherine today.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 2/03/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Kitty's charmed Parkinsons Life( 0:25:31)
Episode Information
Kitty and Peter catch up and discuss her attempt to walk the Paekakariki Escarpment track on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand. Kitty also questions her abilities to continue with some things and the attitude she subsequently takes.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 19/01/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Parenting with Parkinsons( 0:26:3)
Episode Information
In this week’s episode, Kitty’s oldest child, Amelia, is back from her first year at Otago University, and talks about what it’s like having a mum with a chronic health condition, and how she’s been able to apply that experience to her first year studying health sciences.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 8/12/2024 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Kitty and Emma discuss an essay written on chronic illness( 0:25:22)
Episode Information
This week Kitty reads a part of an essay on chronic illness written by her daughter, in which she mentions her Mum. Kitty discusses her feelings on this with the inimitable Emma Kyriacou.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 24/11/2024 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Kitty returns from her O.E. ( 0:27:48)
Episode Information
How did she get on with her trip away and what happened on her trip. Kitty also explains what Parkinsons is for those who are not aware of the disability.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 27/10/2024 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life- A revisit from last year - Kitty and emma ( 0:24:15)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 18/08/2024 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life- Navigating travelling overseas with Parkinsons( 0:26:57)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 4/08/2024 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Kitty talks with guest Steph Bradley about healthy aging.( 0:26:54)
Episode Information
Kitty Fitton talks with guest Steph Bradley about healthy aging and the importance of nutrition and great tips on exercise - hint - you must enjoy it!
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 21/07/2024 12:00:00 p.m.
Ordinary Life - Too busy to be sick( 0:26:19)
Episode Information
In this episode Kitty discusses how much time it takes out of your day to deal with an illness and juggle every day, ordinary life.
Kitty Fitton is on a mission to prove that disability and illness doesn’t mean the end of life as we know it. She writes about hating exercise, coping with blended families, Parkinson’s, and trying to reach the bottom of the laundry basket.
Published: 9/06/2024 12:00:00 p.m.