## Breadcrumb

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- [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons)
- [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories)
 
  ## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons)
- [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories)
 
  

 

  # My PD Story

 

   ![Barbara Traynor boxing](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Barbara_Traynor.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=NmYjSvHL)  

 People with PD 

##  Barbara Traynor 

 

  I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2014, at age 75. I am ashamed to say that upon receiving my [diagnosis](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed"), I yelled at the doctor, “I’m not going to change my lifestyle!” He tilted back in his chair. “You don’t have to,” was his quiet reply. So, this independent, stubborn woman began her journey with PD. What to do?

I ran away! In 2005, I was living a unique retirement lifestyle, volunteering at organizations in the United States that offered free room and board. I had promised to go to the Menaul School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a semester. Getting diagnosed with Parkinson’s brought on an entirely new set of questions: Do I stay or go? Should I share my diagnosis with anyone? How am I going to tell my children? I could not say the word “Parkinson’s” without crying.

Now, 9 years into this degenerative disease, I fight back. I have grown past denial, anger and crying, and I have sprung into advocacy. I search for ways to promote awareness for Parkinson’s and to inform the world about the realities of the disease. I am eager to communicate with others living with PD, not to evoke pity, but simply to find understanding and community. By doing so, I have evolved into a [Parkinson’s Ambassador](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer").

 ![Barbara Traynor holding a Parkinson's Awareness Month proclamation](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Barbara%20Traynor_2_0.jpg?itok=PH1J0Vy7)  April is [Parkinson’s Awareness Month](/parkinsons-awareness-month "Parkinson's Awareness Month"). I am always searching for new ways to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease throughout the month. My local library in Ridgefield, Connecticut has been my biggest ally. They have updated their collection of Parkinson’s-related materials and they notify me of each new arrival. The Ridgefield Library is also offering an informational display table with [Parkinson’s resources](/resources-support "Resources & Support"), which will be available all month.

Due to my limited mobility, most of my activism for Parkinson’s Awareness Month has been managed via technology. I reached out to the Ridgefield 1st Selectman, who plans to issue a [Proclamation](/node/2436) acknowledging Parkinson’s Awareness Month in my town. I am also submitting letters to the editor to local newspapers to further raise PD awareness throughout the month. Awareness is so important for research. I am so pleased and proud of the results.

Psychologically and physically, managing my Parkinson’s is my full-time occupation. However, by participating in volunteer and social activities like being a Parkinson’s Ambassador, interacting with friends, and daily [exercise](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise"), my attitude becomes energized. After all, motion is lotion.

**Take 6 minutes to help create a world without Parkinson’s this** [**Parkinson’s Awareness Month**](/parkinsons-awareness-month "Parkinson's Awareness Month").

  ##  Related Materials 

   Fact Sheets 

###  [ Exercise and PD ](/library/fact-sheets/exercise) 



 [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/exercise)

   Podcasts 

###  [ Episode 91: The Newly Diagnosed Experience ](/library/podcast/91) 



 [Listen Now](/library/podcast/91)

   Books 

###  [ Newly Diagnosed Guide ](/library/book/newly-diagnosed-guide) 



 [Read Now](/library/book/newly-diagnosed-guide)

  

  ##  More Stories 

 from the Parkinson's community

   ![Amy Nylund headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/amy-nylund-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=BMJmBpLX)  

 People with PD 

###  [ Amy Nylund ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/amy-nylund) 

  READ NOW  

 

 ![Aki Suzuki headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/aki-suzuki-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=S3AxuEHP)  

 People with PD 

###  [ Aki Suzuki ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/aki-suzuki) 

  READ NOW  

 

 ![Mark painting at a kitchen table.](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/marku-hurst-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=0CI6_9ko)  

 People with PD 

###  [ Mark Hurst ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/mark-hurst) 

  READ NOW  

 

 

 [VIEW ALL STORIES](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) 

  

 

 ###  Share your Story 

 Do you have an experience with Parkinson's that you would like to share?

 [SUBMIT YOUR STORY](/living-with-parkinsons/my-pd-story/submit) 

 

 

 

 

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