Jo Yaldren, Author, Blog, Parkinsons advocacy

Tackling Adversity, Embracing Change

I'm Jo & I'm passionate about raising awareness of Parkinson's and Young Onset Parkinson's through sharing my experiences and unique perspective. If you're interested in learning more about me or booking a session, please feel free to get in touch.

Speaking, Advocacy & More.

WhatsApp Image 2025-02-05 at 14.39.37 (1)-2.jpeg

My work with

parkinsons

Raising awareness is my passion. I collaborate with charities, medical professionals, and advocacy groups to share real-life experiences, drive change, and support those living with Parkinson’s.

Inspirational

speaking

I share my journey with Parkinson’s to inspire resilience, adaptability, and positivity. My talks help businesses, teams, and communities embrace change and find strength in challenges.

Podcasts

I bring honest, thought-provoking discussions to podcasts and media platforms, sharing insights on resilience, mindset, and living with Parkinson’s. Let’s start a conversation that matters.

Consultations

Need tailored advice or collaboration? I work with organisations on accessibility, awareness campaigns, and creative projects that make a difference. Let’s create something impactful together.

Welcome to my website. Here, you will get a glimpse into who I am and some of the advocacy activities I have have been involved in since being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015.

I'm passionate about raising awareness of Parkinson's and Young Onset Parkinson's through sharing my experiences and unique perspective. Whether it's through a keynote speech or an after-dinner talk, I am available provide inspitration and valuable insights into living with a chronic condition.

If you're interested in learning more about me or booking a session, please feel free to reach out via email. Follow my journey on my socials below:

WhatsApp Image 2025-02-05 at 14.39.37.jpeg

read
bio

News & Upcoming events.

Patient Advisory Board

I'm an active member of the Boston Scientific Patient Advisory Board. Boston Scientific were the makers of the DBS device I had...

Alumni Volunteer of the year award 2024

As a graduate of Teesside University (MA Education, 2013), Jo continues to volunteer her time to support the BSc Hons Adult Nursing...

2 Parkies in a Pod

In the run up to International Women's Day, 2025, Dave Clark and Kuhan invited me to join their panel to discuss the issues surrounding...

#parkinsonsawarenessmonth #parkinsonslookslikeme #parkinsons #deepbrainstimulation #dbs #dystonia

April is #parkinsonsawarenessmonth

The full #DBSandMe video series is on YouTube or through @parkinsonsuk

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1ixQpbHed3bMtCnChYTByNobRJma2Sa2&si=B3pJ437Xf3uvJr-p

Trip to the metropolis this week.
So much crammed in x
Thanks @stylemekk and @rebspaolo for being hostesses with the mostesses x.
@ellayaldren for being my best girl x
@beestungue for your company and introducing me to @changestoryuk. Fascinating impact summit.
To my @tedxwarrington mate #nicolawood for glorious brunch x
Phew.
A minor fall on Thursday which wasn't great, but overall a super time had.
Pulse generator now on 3 bars after charging #dbs on the train.
Rest now.

#livingwithparkinsons
#parkinsonslookslikeme
#deepbrainstimulation
#womensupportingwomen
#parkinsons

Bugger this for a game of soldiers.
I'm grateful for so much, but in the words of Sean Mendes, sometimes it all gets a little too much.

#gratitude
#parkinsons
#parkinsonslookslikeme #livingwithparkinsons
#deepbrainstimulation
#dbs

Today is #internationalwomensday2025
It's been a full week of #parkinsons advocacy with @2parkiesinpod @bostonsci_emea and @stocktonlibraries

Thanks to all the amazing women in my life.
Thanks too to the men raising us up.

#parkinsons
#livingwithparkinsons
#parkinsonslookslikeme
#deepbrainstimulation
#dbs
#internationalwomensday

#livingwithparkinsons
#livingwithmenopause
#internationalwomensday
#internationalwomensday2025

A pleasure and privilege to spend today with other patient volunteers and staff from Boston Scientific to try to improve patient experience.

Monday = meds prep

Boring, maybe.
Essential, absolutely..

Gratitude to
Scientists, researchers and the designer of my rainbow pill box.

Would i prefer a cure. YES I BLOODY WOULD

so would the other 11 million humans living with the shitshow that is #parkinsons

#parkinsons
#parkinsonslookslikeme
#shitshow
#livingwithparkinsons

When you secretly think you're #minttu walking for @balenciaga 😆
#livingwithparkinsons

What goes up, must come down

#fatigue
#parkinsonslookslikeme
#livingwithparkinsons
#shitshow
#alwayssomethingtobegratefulfor

First @kicasaltburn beach clean of the year.
Thanks @vonlloydahoffen for joining me as a #trex
We did a slow dance and the time warp.
Tricky with dinosaur arms.
Brilliant turnout. Loads of kids! Well done parents!

@2minutehq
@keepbritaintidy
##beachclean
#lovewhereyoulive

Roll up, Roll up!
Come and celebrate #internationalwomensday with us
#accelerateaction

Thank you for all the support following my recent tumble.
Headed out to the beach this morning for a gentle stroll with @saltburnandy who has been an amazing nurse and hand holder.
No drama
Perfect!

#parkinsonslookslikeme #elderygymnast #livingwithparkinsons #deepbrainstimulation #parkinsons #dbs #gratitude #keepgoing

Edit!
Please don't worry about me. I'm ok and already feeling better than this morning.
Love you all xxxxxx

OK #parkinsons. Enough.
I'm really having to dig deep to remain positive.
I can't even do my bloody knitting now that my hand is in pain!
Send me some good news my lovely insta chums. I need cheering up x

#falling #fallingover #fallingoversucks
#iamwaytoooldforthisshit
#parkinsonslookslikeme #livingwithparkinsons #shitshow

The Christmas twig is up!
Love this little mouse💕
Feeling very festive all of a sudden x

Volunteering today at the local teaching hospital.
Helping out with junior doctor exams.
I worked at this hospital as a nurse for many years... Coronary Care, cardiac rehabilitation.

So odd to return like this!

#livingwithparkinsons
#givingback
#parkinsons
#nhsheroes

Life with #parkinsons and #deepbrainstimulation
Sunday = charge my DBS pulse generator.
It takes 30 mins or so to get to 3 bars of charge.
I do this twice a week.

The technology is amazing and improving all the time.

I'm so grateful to the teams at @bostonsci_emea @bostonsci and @medtronic for all the innovations that help all us folk needing implantable devices.

@cureparkinsons
@parkinsonsuk
@michaeljfoxorg

#livingwithparkinsons
#dbs
#borgqueen
#resistanceisfutile
#implantabledevices
#deepbrainstimulation

4 generations.
What a joy and privilege to be one of these hands.

#gratitude
#family
#grannyjoannie
#livingwithparkinsons

Presenting to 3rd year student nurses on Friday at @teessideuni

Sharing my experience of #parkinsons and hopefully influencing care of people with parkinsons in a small way.

Thanks as always to the students for their support and to @daryltaylorwelsh and Gemma for the invitation.

##livingwithparkinsons
#volunteering
#volunteer
@teessidealumni

Happiest of Birthdays dearest @beestungue Unforgettable evening of nonsense!

I've always adored #johnwilliamwaterhouse, and the photo by @mymycreative puts me in mind of #mirandathetempest

I'm currently waiting for my car whilst it has its MOT....not so romantic 🤣

In other news, opicapone and an increase in melatonin are improving my sleep!

Tell me you're old, without telling me you're old

Jabbing at the screen with one finger. Hoping my hand will stay on target 🤣

#tellme
#tellmeyoureoldwithouttellingmeyoureold
#onefingertyping
#nofucksgiven
#dubiousoutfitchoices
#livingwithparkinsons
#parkinsons

📸 @ycatttt @mymycreative

Napping.
It's my special skill....Second only to my #axelrose impression 🤣

Living with parkinsons, for me, means living with fatigue, insomnia and horrific nightmares.

I've just started opicapone. Hoping it'll help.
Already on melatonin.

#parkinsons is a #shitshow.

📸 @mymycreative

Last week I had the pleasure of catching up with @parkinsonsuk filming the last of the #DBSandMe series of films.
Huge thanks to everybody who helped.

Photo: @mymycreative @ycatttt #parkinsons #deepbrainstimulation #parkinsonslookslikeme #dbs #livingwithparkinsons #deedsnotwords

Halloween...Before the chaos began!
I was pretty chuffed with my costume. Homemade 'murder on the dance floor' 🤣

Behind the scenes at yesterday's filming with the brilliant crew for @parkinsonsuk.
Discussing #deepbrainstimulation #DBS and life in general with #parkinsons 2 years on from my surgery.
Tomorrow, we conclude the series on the beach, where we began.

For those wanting to know, yes, I will be doing all my own stunts.

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Tackling Adversity, Embracing Change

Speaking, Advocacy & More.

Hi, I'm jo

read
bio

News & Upcoming events.

Patient Advisory Board

Alumni Volunteer of the year award 2024

2 Parkies in a Pod

Follow us on Instagram

FOLLOW ME.

get in touch.

SUBSCRIBE.

Tackling Adversity, Embracing Change

Speaking, Advocacy & More.

Hi, I'm jo

read bio

News & Upcoming events.

Patient Advisory Board

Alumni Volunteer of the year award 2024

2 Parkies in a Pod

​

Follow us on Instagram

FOLLOW ME.

get in touch.

SUBSCRIBE.

read
bio