Watch how a device in his chest helps manage his Parkinson’s disease

CBC’s Harry Forestell takes us through his experience with having deep brain stimulation surgery. It’s a procedure that has helped him manage his Parkinson’s disease, but as he explains DBS is not for every patient.
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[@DaimyoDude]

When folks like you do things like this, it is a precious gift to everyone.

[@Shazam0527]

This treatment is truly astonishing, and you sir are a hero in my book for showing the rest of the world what you went through to get here. The amount of courage you have is commendable!

[@SpiderxPunk]

T-Cell therapy, a person paralyzed for 20 years able to walk again, DBS, and everything else being done... It's amazing. Medical science is really picking up and I am loving seeing stories like this. It gives me hope, and it warms my heart to see people like yourself able to regain their previous mobility/lifestyle.

[@OneThousandRats]

My grandfather had Parkinsons. He passed away in 2010. He lived a fairly full life and got into his 70s. I'm glad there are more options for people with Parkinsons now.

[@fishingthesoutheast5404]

My grandfather lived with Parkinsons for over 25 years. We never got to see him smile. And as a young kid I didn't understand how he could be so happy in older pictures but seemed so sad now. He was a sweet and gentle soul, and wish he could have benefited from this ground breaking therapy.

[@edwardraaflaub5849]

Thank you Harry, I underwent this procedure over a year ago with Dr. Ron Leavy at Kingston General Hospital. We had been waiting for the new technology to be approved by Health Canada in time for my surgery. Fortunately as luck would have it I became the 2nd person in Canada to receive this marvelous technology. Your experience is identical to mine so in that way I feel very connected to your story.

[@haroonshaikh8952]

Hi, Edward. I want to know the complete address of the hospital and contact No of hospital as well doctors from where you have treated, if its possible for you please help me.

[@bellabear653]

@@haroonshaikh8952 Just google Kingston Hospital.

[@SuiLagadema]

This brought me so much happiness. I knew about DBS but it always makes me smile to see somebody in which the treatment worked.

[@wxb200]

That's a really humble guy.

[@cornchipsnovemberland3565]

Beautiful story. Over the course of many years, I watched Parkinson's slowly take away bits of my father's life. I wish that he would have lived to see such incredible treatments. I have read quite a bit about DBS treatments, but this is best film I have seen showing the results. Thank you for sharing your story! My prayers are with you.

[@jsharik2466]

This is amazing! We need to make this available worldwide. Just wish that it would work with everyone who has it. ❤

[@jeffmarr5540]

Wishing you all the best Harry. Stay positive.

[@OptimisticHominid]

Thank you so much Harry and the CBC for making and sharing this story - it's just what I needed. Amazing! Thank you again.

[@tc6829]

I had DBS done last year.i was out when this was done i have 2 devices put in.this works for me.Thank you Dr. David Van Sickle.

[@aprilthomas8733]

so sad. glad there is some type of relief . i can’t imagine how hard it must be to go through this

[@lwhitty721]

Amazing to see Harry - I wish you all the best!

[@proabhinav]

Hi Harry, Thank You for sharing your story with us. I hope things better for you and everyone who is battling this condition .. 🤗

[@annrubino6252]

Thank you so much for explaining some of the details of this miserable disease. Blessings to you and your family.

[@Susannewk]

Just excellent! I’m so pleased for you! I used to nurse and have seen many Parkinson’s sufferers and even have friends with it. It’s wonderful to see you before…. And after surgery and the fine tuning! Long May your better health continue! ❤

[@TheRealDogfart]

It's the difference between night and day. It's so satisfying to see you receive the benefits from DBS.

[@bruth6138]

Great video. I love hearing this kind of stuff from actual patients. Not from a pharma CEO or medical device CEO or politician. This is the proof. Fantastic.

[@branthyatt9982]

Right

[@missthang4982]

Omg!? That's amazing! Thank you so very much for allowing us to see what it's like when it's off and sharing your experience. Very honourable of you to help educate us. My love and light to you. Sudbury, Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦 ✌️

[@lilihoms]

Thank you Harry for sharing your story, amazing what doctors and technology can achieve! god bless you all!!!

[@karolanoble2858]

Thank you for your video. I am in tears of joy for you and tears of hope for my brother-in-law who has PD. I am forwarding your video to my Sister so that they may research his options here in the USA. Thank you once again:) 🕊🌻

[@all3ykat79]

That's brilliant. Im glad this is finally available so you, and others, can now get such quality (control) back in your lives.

[@Medlife663]

It’s amazing to see medical procedure helping patients to live a normal life ❤

[@adriannespring8598]

Incredible!!! Thank you for your candid clarity!!! This should be standard treatment and asap for anyone eligible.

[@AldoSchmedack]

Kudos to this man for helping us figure this out one day.

[@user-ws8lw3tx8g]

Harry, my heartfelt happiness for you to regain tremor-free living! Thank you for being so brave to share your journey. Your story gives hope and options! Your testament will undoubtedly help more patients to receive improved outcomes!

[@maryjanegibson7743]

God bless you, sir. You have helped all of us, even those without Parkinsons, because we now have a better understanding of what it is you and all Parkinsons patients have to deal with.

[@susanszymanski4244]

Thank you for providing me with a way to teach others about Parkinson’s and DBS. I could never seem to explain it as well as you do.

[@themysticmuse]

Im thrilled for this man!!

[@LAndre2874]

What a wonderful and amazing story I wish you all the best. The difference is night and day absolutely incredible the relief I see in your personality is just.. brings me to tears. Wish ya All the best

[@christopherdawkins5392]

Fantastic story! Thank you to all the great scientists, technicians, and surgeons who have their iginuity, persistence, and hard work mistaken for miracles.

[@couldwellbe4227]

Incredible. Thank you so much for sharing this and all the very best to you 😊

[@kelseymathias3881]

This is gratifying to see for Harry!

[@alexrybin3798]

Huge thanks scientists helping people with Parkinson and other diseases!!!! Thank you, Harry, for sharing. Wish you all the best!

[@alexandertolmatskiy1]

It a very beautiful thing to see myself healthy again after using remedy from Dr Ake on KZbin, I finally got cured of my Parkinson's disease with his herbs med and I can tell how great my health has turned out so far. Thank you 🙏 ❤️

[@jovesheerwater]

Outstanding video Harry. Thank you.

[@zebre8568]

Truly phenomenal

[@siuyinng8374]

My sister had it done, it was life changing

[@chefwaynecolin]

All I can say is WOW, and thanks for sharing.

[@user-ko3kf4zr1u]

Absolutely amazing to watch this.

[@bellabear653]

Great story you are a very brave man all people who have brain surgery are so brave. ❤

[@johnrock2022]

Thank you and bless your doctors

[@eileenpp6794]

Absolutely brilliant. An honest report on how DBS works. Wasn’t sure about whether your walking and freezing improved as well as the tremor.

[@yardsale]

Inspiring thank you for sharing your story. Had not heard of this treatment before!

[@tindrums]

My friend has this. The change is remarkable.

[@samadhistate9637]

Amazing outcome. You are so composed and articulate. What an inspiration to so many. So you still have take Levodopa, but now its 50% of what you previously had been taking.

[@neilquinn]

That technology is amazing to see Harry. Great to see it working for you.

[@RBLong0928]

I am just so happy for all Parkinson's patients. I have essential tremor and l had difficulty dealing with that. I can't imagine what they go through. That's why I am so excited for them. You are sedated and I never knew when they put the frame on or drilled the holes. The only thing l remember is when they had me write. You then have a general for the bettery placement.

[@allistairneil8968]

This is one of the most interesting and heroic vids I've seen. Fantastic results, I hope he lives a happy life and inspires others.😊

[@loiswilson846]

I'm so glad you had this Video showing before and after, I've never seen anything like it, but I now know more then I did before ❤🙏🏻👍

[@deeprollingriver52]

So happy this is available

[@BearbearbearbearbearbearRarrrr]

These help people understand “disability” videos, should be taught in all schools. Anti stigma is rooted in smart content like this.

[@hughmann1908]

Thank you for this!

[@CoreyJohnson193]

Absolutely Amazing!

[@RawLu.]

Love you Harry, All the best 😇

[@girlzglam5413]

Commendable video!!!!!!!it's so relieving to see you back to normalcy!!!!may GOOD GOD SEND SOME CURE FOR THIS DISEASE...TATHATSU❤

[@med-3000]

Amazing, thank you sir for sharing.

[@Uouttooo]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@Splits-man]

Simply amazing!

[@renko9067]

Fantastic video. Thanks.

[@BearbearbearbearbearbearRarrrr]

More of this please.

[@yarnpower]

What a fascinating therapy.

[@JohnWilliams-gy5yc]

Given the apparatus is very scary and the physiology is still unknown, however the result is very magical. I wish this could work long term for everyone. Wish the best for Harry.

[@Rdmkc123]

Marvelous. Just marvelous.

[@Janet-pd5wd]

Two 0f my coworkers had deep brain stomulaion now both are bed bound but am so happy it worked for you

[@michaelmartone2877]

I took care of my lovely wife who died from late stage Parkinson's in 2022..she had this disease for 22 years but had no shaking . This DBS surgery for patients with dyskinesia/tremors is at best when it works does help for a time with tremor in some patients but it is not a permanent solution ,patient's have to be carefully screened for any latent psychiatric problems prior to the implant or psychosis can become an issue. I also know of patients in my PD support group who had little benefit from DBS implants..as I remember the device by itself costs 35 thousand dollars, that is before surgery fees.

[@grandlaphi]

Thank you for sharing

[@maryanneville4397]

I am really impressed

[@MLStanleyK]

TY!!!!!

[@michaelbarber4813]

This is sue I’m caring for the love of my life who has had Parkinson’s for 18 years just 2 years into our marriage and from lockdown has developed dementia too. It’s heartbreaking and so sad and so exhausting I feel he’s dying infront of my eyes every day and I still love him to bits

[@frenchustube]

You are an angel. God bless you and your husband.

[@ruthmauel3195]

You are the best example of love and commitment. Don't be shy to ask for help or a relief from your caregiving job.

[@lynnfulton1696]

I have had this and it worked for me. If given the chance, I would do it over and over again!!

[@fredatussey1141]

Thanks very helpful

[@Had2Listen]

Absolutely well produced and informative look at DBS. Yes DBS can be an effective and life changing for some. In a PD support group I belong to we have 4 members with DBS and 2 currently undergoing evaluation. Also know a relative who had it done. Though definitely providing some relief, after a few years the folks I know had significant falling and balance problems along with loss of ability to speak clearly and loudly more so than most other people I know with PD. Just my opinion!! Hoping they solve the PD puzzle soon. Stay strong !!!

[@anntodd1233]

What company's device was put in your brain? You should have them and your neurologist make some adjustments in your programing. Did you have it done for both sides of your body? If so, chances are there is some overlap between your left side of the brain and the right side. When they go in on the right side of the brain to correct the left, that is where the speech and balance are. If you adjust this, you may not get quite as much benefit from the tremors, but it is sure better than speech and balance problems. I had both sides done. My dominate side is on the right. I just had my left side done. During the placement they kept getting me to say things to check for speech problems. I didn't have any problem.My programing/activation is in a couple of weeks. My neurologist warned me that I may not get quite as good of results on the left side because we want to prevent the overlap problems. I don't care as long as there is improvement. Before any of this, I couldn't do everyday stuff. Thank goodness for my husband! My right side is great! The first time I held a sandwich and a drink, I just busted out crying. I think it took me a month or so to get used to be able to do normal things. It was life changing for me.

[@reinux]

@@anntodd1233 That's fascinating. PD isn't part of my life, but it's always uplifting to hear of people's triumphs.

[@ssap3717]

Dont get caught in media hype. This surgery has many downfalls like loss of speech, balance and walking ability. Hardly anyone talks about infection risks during battery replacements. My fathers DBS system had to be removed completely after an infection during battery replacement and he was been bed ridden since. He flew to the surgery on his own. Lost his speaking ability after DBS. Doctors will blame decease progression if something goes wrong. So be aware.

[@DB-uh7qw]

@@ssap3717I had it done almost three years ago. I have zero regrets.

[@user-xc5es2ut7t]

Im extremely thankful the C/L still works for me at this point, I honestly dont know if Id have the courage to receive DBS when the time comes. Bless you brother.

[@Kimberly-ul1ph]

Thank you

[@Butterflies-are-free]

💕 wow! Incredible! 💕

[@fawnjenkins7266]

That is amazing! I wish it would work on everyone...

[@bettydanico2959]

Amazing medical tech!

[@iashakezula]

Thank you for sharing. I usually don’t see the end result .I work in a surgery center for a big University facility , I have worked with 2- 3 Neurosurgeons in the past 30 years who done this technique and who trained residents and fellows but since moved on and now on the current Neurosurgeon who does this , we get to do Stage II and battery replacements in our department.I’m glad it works for most. I know the companies that develop these ie Boston Scientific / Medtronic etc are improving the technology and parts especially the generator because we see new stuff here and there and get feedback from both the companies Rep and the surgeon. It fascinates me how this technology works and makes me feel happy knowing how this helps the patients tremendously. But like any high tech in Surgery , it’s extremely expensive.

[@MyAngleFishing]

Absolutely amazing✌️✌️🎣

[@amysinger2201]

Thank you for demonstrating levadopa triggered diskenisia vs Parkinsonian tremor. I feel sometimes people don't understand that even with the best treatment, there are costs. That living with disability is balancing those costs every day.

[@sonderexpeditions]

Science is beautiful. God bless Neurologists.

[@alqadeeb]

Amazing

[@virginial.franco8450]

If ever: keep it going.❤

[@ahineya6146]

Boy! That was the happiest thing i saw for looong time. Damn i hope you'll do at least as great as you seem to be doing at the time video was taking. With you r health, spirit and plans..

[@ronechols]

Amazing!

[@nagruvajse]

thank you

[@DD-sr7no]

So happy for you 💐😉

[@ElaineWalker]

Wow, that is truly amazing! Both of my parents developed Parkinsonism in their early 80s. It took Dad really fast (he was an athlete so that might have delayed the inevitable, then boom, it all happened within a few years. Mom has gotten all of the exact same symptoms, in the same order as Dad, but hers is more slow to develop. They never had the shakes though. They had all of the other Parkinson symptoms, and I don't know if DBS coudl even help (poor balance, difficulty walking, using hands, talking, holding head straight, low bandwidth thinking, etc). Mom has been interested in Neuralink, and even signed up for the trial if they should ever choose her, but she's 87 and surely way too frail now. It makes me happy to see Mr. Forestell respond so well to DBS tough. (he was an athlete so I bet that staved his off longer, then boom, it all happened within a few years).

[@fredatussey1141]

Thanks dear

[@defface777]

That is amazing!!!

[@tonycoz2309]

Amazing.

[@chrisalexthomas]

wow this is amazing! science is awesome!

[@krishanlakhiwal]

What a perfect video to watch...

[@agneseditsstuff]

this is incredible

[@sfjessy1]

Congratulations!! I have DBS for Essential Tremor which is many times mistaken for Parkinsons. The DBS has been absolutely life changing. The only thing I wondered afterward was ‘what in the world took me so long?’.

[@frenchustube]

Did your insurance covered it?

[@sfjessy1]

@@frenchustube yes

[@newworld6474]

Great report! It is applicable to my situation. So is it ever effective more than 10 to 15 years? Dr. David Sinclair's (Harvard) research into reversing nerve damage and brain etc ... looks like a positive area to investigate for application to this problem too.

[@AshleyGrenstone]

Wow❤

[@GoProGoalieUzi]

I was diagnosed at 40 in 2018. I have a dbs consultation appointment on the 31st

[@kelseymathias3881]

best wishes!

[@rahimanwa4318]

Did it work? How are you now?

[@OU812cheeto]

You don't need a device. My friend has been doing B1 therapy for about 2 months and now, I can't even tell she has Parky's! Minimal shaking, no facial "mask" and her gait is as normal as anyone else's. Honestly, it's like a miracle. I don't know why this isn't talked about more--probably because there's no money in it.

[@alexandrawhitelock6195]

Highly simplistic. If this worked for everyone…they would do this.

[@andyandcallie]

@@alexandrawhitelock6195 It does work for everyone. The reason they don't do it is because they've never heard of it or, like you, they refuse to believe it.

[@lanlac3080]

this is so amazing, thanks for sharing. I'm sure Michael J Fox would be aware of this procedure, so would he benefit in having it done or is his PD too far in advance for him to benefit from it? MJF is such an incredible ambassador for PD, I wish him many more years forward.

[@korenn9381]

DBS, as said in the video, doesn't work for all parkinson's patients. Given MJF's involvement with research and living with the disease, I'm sure they've looked into it.