## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [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 ![Bruce Closser sitting on porch](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/bruce_closser.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=r0eWs0gQ) People with PD ## Bruce Closser It was like skiing with a wooden leg. It was January 29, 2011, and I was competing in the 50-km Noquemanon Ski Marathon. I was only 5 or 10 km into the course when the [wooden-leg effect](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/rigidity "Rigidity") struck. It affected me every time I climbed a hill or pushed my pace. If I relaxed for a minute or two it would go away, but it always returned. The hopes I had for a podium finish in my age group were clearly not to be fulfilled. I was seen by regional sports medicine doctors and the Mayo Clinic at that time, but no one could provide a definitive diagnosis. I strongly suspect that this was an [early indication](/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-signs "10 Early Signs") of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Other [symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms") appeared over time. I knew that something was wrong and that it was getting worse. It wasn’t until February of 2019 that the [diagnosis](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") of Parkinson’s disease became evident. It is a diagnosis that was too familiar: my wife, Sally, also lives with PD. Excellent medical care, a very [active lifestyle](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise"), and good social connections have all helped me cope with my diagnosis and [live well with PD](/living-with-parkinsons/new-to-parkinsons/5-steps "5 Steps to Living Well"). In 2020, another outlet for dealing with Parkinson’s found me: music. I was wide awake, at 3 AM in October of 2020, with the strains of Dolly Parton’s *“9-to-5”* running through my brain like an earworm. As I lay there, words started to come into my head —words about Parkinson’s — that fit the *9-to-5* tune. I soon realized that I needed to get up and write it all down or I would forget it. I got up and turned on the computer. Sally heard me talking to myself and singing and called out to ask what was going on. “I’m composing!” I called back. Over the next several weeks the entire song came together, but I had no idea what to do with it. In November 2020, Sally and I had our semiannual appointments with our [neurologist](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/building-your-team "Building Your Care Team") at the University of Michigan. At the end of my visit, I suggested that if my doctor had 3 minutes and 35 seconds to waste, I would sing him a song about Parkinson’s that I had written. He agreed, and I played a karaoke version of *9-to-5* and sang along. He got a kick out of it and asked me if I would send him the lyrics! He shared them with some of his colleagues, who forwarded them on to others. About three weeks later the Parkinson’s Foundation reached out and asked if I could send a video of me singing the song! I decided if I was going to make a video, I needed a band. I found a talented local rock group that was interested in working with me. After weekly rehearsals for several months and the band’s patient guidance, we were ready. We secured an auditorium (no small task in the middle of the pandemic) a videographer and a sound and lighting technician, and recorded *We’ve got Parkinson’s*, along with a second song that I had written to the tune of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s *“Pride and Joy*.” After months of post-production, we finally had our music video! I sincerely hope it brings joy and laughter to others who are [dealing with PD](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed/coping-with-diagnosis "Coping with a Diagnosis"). My Parkinson’s is well managed. I believe that [exercise](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise"), especially mountain biking, has helped tremendously. I am fortunate to live in a place like Marquette, Michigan where I can ride my road bike and mountain bike on a nationally recognized trail system. There is something magical about the mountain bike. Riding involves balance, coordination, concentration and quick decision making. When I get on the bike, my [balance issues](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/postural-instability "Postural Instability (Balance & Falls)") disappear and everything is fine. I strongly encourage others with PD to keep pursuing their passions and their creativity – even in the most unexpected ways! Videography by Nick Slattery Editing by Nick Jensen and Nick Slattery Music performed by Maynards and Friends Words and vocal by Bruce Closser ## Related Materials Fact Sheets ### [ My Parent Has Parkinson's. What Does It Mean? ](/library/fact-sheets/parent-has-parkinsons) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/parent-has-parkinsons) Fact Sheets ### [ Managing "Off" Time in Parkinson's ](/library/fact-sheets/managing-off-time) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/managing-off-time) Fact Sheets ### [ Medications for Non-motor Symptoms ](/library/fact-sheets/medications-nonmotor-symptoms) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/medications-nonmotor-symptoms) ## More Stories from the Parkinson's community ![Edwin Castillo headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/edwin-castillo-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=i2krUKZL) People with PD ### [ Edwin Castillo ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/edwin-castillo) READ NOW ![Tamara posing for a picture in a blue dress](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/tamara-zanvardine-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=T3TnAZYR) People with PD ### [ Tamara Zanvardine ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/tamara-zanvardine) READ NOW ![Gary Krajewski headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/gary-krajewski-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=jbMtYx20) People with PD ### [ Gary Krajewski ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/gary-krajewski) 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) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn