## 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 ![Dan Royer and his dog](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Dan_Royer.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=b_ircf6V) People with PD ## Dan Royer ### Engagement is my key to wellness with PD. Getting a Parkinson’s disease (PD) [diagnosis](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") is a sobering moment, but fear and backing away from what worries us never works in the long run. What’s sobering, or frightening even, is the uncertainty about what it means to have a progressive, incurable movement disorder. Will I be unable to [run](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/trouble-moving "Trouble Moving or Walking")? Shuffling along soon? Unable to [drive](/library/fact-sheets/driving "Driving")? [Mute](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/speech-swallowing "Speech & Swallowing Issues")? When does all this start happening? Answers to those questions still linger, but after a few deep breaths it became clear that these worries were not going to be faced, say, next week. The most immediate challenge was to convert all this external [tremor](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/tremor "Tremor") and internal commotion into some kind of new normal so that I could get on with the business of living well. My key to moving forward has been engagement. ### Engaging with friends Letting friends in on this new development in life has been a source of support moving forward. The support of friends and family provokes the experience of being known for who you are, which for me includes my private experience of the irritating tremor or the latest [non-movement symptom](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms "Non-Movement Symptoms"). Being open about my Parkinson’s diagnosis has required [transparency with friends](/living-with-parkinsons/new-to-parkinsons/5-steps "5 Steps to Living Well") in order to be known and move forward living well. ### Engaging with the care team and the PD community I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I have access to Corewell Health’s Parkinson’s multidisciplinary team, a program that the Parkinson’s Foundation has designated one of the first [Comprehensive Care Centers](https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network#Comprehensive) in the U.S. I feel lucky. This Care Center has served as a gateway to new friends and other communities formed by people with Parkinson’s. The care team invited me to join the PD advisory council to help grow and improve the multidisciplinary program and urged me to help facilitate discussion in our monthly educational meetups. ### Engaging with the research community After these few deep breaths, I decided to participate in a [clinical trial](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/clinical-trials "Clinical Trials"). As a participant in a year-long trial, I learned about *Brain Storms* by John Palfreman, an excellent history of PD [research](/advancing-research "Advancing Research"). I also learned about the Grand Challenges Annual Meeting at the Van Andel Institute. There, I met medical professionals, graduate students, clinicians and others doing research on Parkinson’s, as well as staff from Cure Parkinson’s in London. These relationships have been a source of inspiration. ### Engaging with the **[exercise community](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise")** I was engaged with a local trail running community for more than a decade prior to my diagnosis in late 2021. Weeks after my diagnosis, I connected with one of the Davis Phinney ambassadors who urged me to start weightlifting to add to my routine as a trail runner. At the gym, I have met a few others with Parkinson’s and made new friends without PD who are lifting and moving like me: to improve their quality of life. My trail running now includes my neighbor’s dog Khloe, one of my best friends and supporters. **Engage with the Parkinson’s Foundation to live well with PD.** [**Find expert care and local resources in your area.**](/your-area "In Your Area") ## 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? 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