## 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 ![Christi Rouse-Deloach headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Christi_Rouse-Deloach.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=ol4k6LSh) People with PD ## Christi Rouse-Deloach I have always believed the old adage that if you feel something is off or wrong, then it probably is. Life began to change when I could no longer teach my fitness classes without extreme [muscle spasms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/dyskinesia "Dyskinesia"), when I couldn't complete a 5K due to leg pain and [weakness](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/postural-instability "Postural Instability (Balance & Falls)"), when my hand began to [shake](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/tremor "Tremor") without explanation and when going to work as a physical education teacher caused a level of [fatigue](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/fatigue "Fatigue") and [brain fog](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/cognitive "Cognitive Changes") that I had never experienced. Each of these symptoms caused me to fear that I would no longer be able do the things I loved. I was under the care of both a great chiropractor and [physical therapist](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/physical-occupational-speech-therapies "Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies") who urged me to find answers when there seemed to be none. It became a guessing game and a myriad of tests that never produced the answer. No one could tell me what was wrong, so how I was supposed to get back to normal? After almost a year of testing in my local area and being told many different things without solutions, I reached out to a major research hospital which was seven and a half hours away from my home. Luckily, I was accepted as a patient and when I walked in the doors, I knew that I was in the correct place. After a series of visits, I received a telephone call that would change my life and give me an answer to what had been ailing me for almost two years. The physician informed that she believed I had [young-onset Parkinson's disease](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/young-onset-parkinsons "Young-Onset Parkinson's") (YOPD). While I never expected this [diagnosis](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed"), I knew that Parkinson’s was manageable because I have a coworker who was also diagnosed with YOPD several years ago. Once I started [medication](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications "Prescription Medications"), I began to get my life back. My movement disorders specialist told me about the Parkinson’s Foundation and the [resources](/resources-support "Resources & Support") available for people living with PD. I was able to [virtually attend](/resources-support/events "Events") a symposium to learn more about the disease. I still can't run like I did before YOPD symptoms began, but I can box, teach my [fitness classes](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise") and lift weights effectively. When I’m at home, I use [Fitness Friday videos](https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/online-education/pdhealth#ff) to stay moving. I learned that it is imperative to stand up for yourself and not give up on answers. If you ever find yourself on a diagnosis journey, don't give up! I believe that had I not continued to search for answers, my condition would have been much worse before I knew the cause of my [symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms"). I now choose to spread [awareness](/parkinsons-awareness-month "Parkinson's Awareness Month") of YOPD through education, exercise and encouragement for those living with the same condition. [**Explore resources for the Parkinson’s community.**](/resources-support "Resources & Support") ## 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? 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