Why have I started raising money to help find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease? You would think that it is probably because my grandfather had Parkinson’s. How I wish that was the only reason. On January 11, 2020, at the age of 53 three years after having triple heart bypass surgery I learned that I had a disease for which there is no cure. It’s not a death sentence and this disease does not affect life expectancy. It’s a neuro degenerative disease that affects people in different ways and on different timelines. For me tremors in the legs and hands, some stiffness, and freezing moments when I just can’t move no matter how hard I try.

Except for my wife a few very close friends and some family I have concealed this disease to the best of my ability for more than two years. I barely acknowledged it to myself, much less to others. I notice a slight tremor; did anyone else? When asked about my slowness I would say it’s my back or an old sports injury. (I never really played many sports) but it sounded good.

Parkinson’s is often referred to as a movement disorder and that’s why movement no matter how small is so important at keeping you healthy. Programs like Pedaling for Parkinson’s, Neuro Boxing, and plain old walking or jogging are so important to keep progression slow and controllable.

Aside from medication there are treatments and research is being done to find more treatments and hopefully one day a cure.

Please join Betsy and I in the fight. Let’s help find a cure and put an end to PD