My PD Story

I’m inspired to work with individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) because I see how profoundly exercise can change the trajectory of their lives.

In my role as manager of adaptive fitness programs at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, I oversee, develop and continuously evolve exercise programs for people living with neurological and orthopedic conditions, including Parkinson’s.

When people learn to connect their mind and body and move with intention, exercise becomes a tool for independence, and that transformation in their mindset is what keeps me committed to this work.

My primary goals are to make sure that every person has access to safe, appropriately challenging exercise — and to help them create long-term, consistent exercise habits. I work with people across the entire spectrum of PD, from those in their 40s with early-onset PD to those in very advanced stages who require significant physical support.

For people with PD, exercise truly is medicine … and the benefits are numerous:

• Regular, properly prescribed movement helps people with PD manage symptoms such as bradykinesia (slowness of movement), hypokinesia (reduced speed of muscle movement), rigidity (stiffness), postural instability, gait and balance changes.
• Working with experienced exercise professionals enables individuals with PD to gain symptom awareness and learn practical exercise strategies to use at home.
• Specialized fitness training, as well as group exercise, provides tremendous mental and emotional support to help people feel empowered.

While many individuals with PD know exercise is essential, they may not know how to structure it or how often to exercise. Through our fitness center at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, they don’t have to figure that out on their own. 

With 24 weekly classes, our participants can attend multiple sessions per week (or even multiple times per day) for a well-rounded exercise program that includes balance, endurance, strength, progressive resistance training, boxing, Tai Chi, flexibility and mobility training. In addition, I collaborate closely with our hospital’s Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders program, and all of our classes integrate PD-specific movement strategies and symptom education.

Our fitness center also is equipped with specialized tools, including an anti-gravity treadmill for people with PD to work on improving their gait, speed and power, as well as overhead harness systems for those in later stages to work on standing balance, walking and postural control without fear of falling.

As a result of consistent exercise, the people I meet through my work at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab don’t just get stronger; they regain confidence.

I’ve watched people go from identifying themselves by their diagnosis to identifying themselves by what they can do: traveling again, dancing, getting up from the floor independently, participating in community events, navigating airports, walking long distances or going on challenging heights. They tell us what they were able to accomplish because they felt steadier and more prepared.

As people living with PD get started on an exercise program, my advice is to pause before defining your future based on what you read online.

I often see people come in overwhelmed and frightened by not knowing what to expect in the years ahead. Instead of focusing on what might be lost, I encourage people to focus on all that is possible. When people feel informed, supported and physically capable, they often regain a sense of control, hope and possibility.

At the end of the day, the PD community taught me the power of showing up for one another. There is something uniquely strong about this population — building lasting friendships, encouraging each other through hard days, celebrating small wins and advocating not just for themselves, but for the entire community. The PD community reminds me that progress is not just physical — it’s emotional as well.

Learn more about exercise and find a local PD-tailored exercise class through your nearest Parkinson’s Foundation Chapter. Find your Parkinson’s Foundation Chapter here.