## 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 ![David Williams running a marathon](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/David-Williams.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=EOKrYat5) People with PD ## David Williams I began a health transformation in my 50s and lost 108 pounds. At 56, I completed my first full marathon. Life felt strong. I felt capable. I felt in control. ![David Williams side by side weight loss](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/David-Williams-weightloss.jpg?itok=bsEAFVI4) Then at 58, everything changed. My leg started shaking — first for weeks, then for months. I eventually went to a neurologist. Parkinson’s disease (PD) was never even a thought in my mind and hearing the words “tremor-dominant Parkinson’s” stopped me cold. April 16, 2025 became a date I’ll never forget. I cried in the parking lot after that appointment. The first 30 days were hard. I worried about what my future would look like. I wondered what I would lose. I questioned how much of my life Parkinson’s would take. Then I hit a turning point. I decided Parkinson’s was going to be part of my life — but it was not going to run my life. I focused on what I could control. I built my approach around four core pillars: [exercise](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise"), a positive mindset, a supportive community and faith. ![David Williams swimming](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/David-Williams-swimming.jpg?itok=22zlewXY) Exercise became non-negotiable. Movement is my medicine. Whether I’m swimming, biking, running, lifting or stretching, I show up. Some days are strong. Some days are hard. But I move — because staying active gives me strength, confidence and hope. I also chose to lean into community. One phone call to the Parkinson’s Foundation led to several meaningful connections. I raised over $10,000 for [Moving Day](https://movingdaywalk.org/). In late 2025, I became a [Parkinson’s Champion](/how-to-help/fundraise/create-fundraiser "Create Your Own Fundraiser"). I'm hopeful to serve on the board for the [Carolinas Chapter](/resources-support/find-your-chapter "Find Your Chapter"). I’ve learned that fighting Parkinson’s alone is the hardest way to do it. Don't hide behind the diagnosis. I turn 60 in 2026, and I’m a triathlete. I’m currently training for my biggest race of the year — the Augusta Ironman 70.3. That’s a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. I don’t train to prove anything to anyone else. I train to remind myself that I’m still capable. I train to inspire others especially those with limitations. ![David Williams cycling](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/David-Williams-cycling.jpg?itok=Niz6ZEzw) I also wear custom shirts and hoodies with my diagnosis date on them. They help start conversations with complete strangers. Those conversations create awareness, connection and understanding. It’s one small way I choose to turn my diagnosis into purpose. > If you’re living with Parkinson’s, my advice is simple: stay active as long as you can. Walk. Stretch. Use resistance bands. Do what you can — then do it again tomorrow. And if you’re a [caregiver](/resources-support/carepartners "For Care Partners"), hear this: you matter too. Take time for yourself. Taking a break isn’t quitting — it’s refueling. Parkinson’s changed my path, but it didn’t take my drive, my purpose or my belief in what’s still possible. And I’m not done yet. **Get involved with the Parkinson’s Foundation in a way that works for you. [Find your local chapter](/resources-support/find-your-chapter "Find Your Chapter") and explore our [Get Involved page](/how-to-help "How You Can Help").** ## Related Materials Fact Sheets ### [ Occupational Therapy & Parkinson's ](/library/fact-sheets/occupational-therapy) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/occupational-therapy) Fact Sheets ### [ Nutrition and PD ](/library/fact-sheets/nutrition) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/nutrition) Audiobooks ### [ Fitness Counts: A Body Guide to Parkinson’s Disease ](/library/audiobooks/fitness) [Listen Now](/library/audiobooks/fitness) ## 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) ### Parkinson's Exercise Recommendations The Parkinson's Foundation, in collaboration with the American College of Sports Medicine, created new Parkinson’s disease exercise recommendations to provide people with PD safe and effective exercise programs and instruction. [Download Fact Sheet](https://www.parkinson.org/sites/default/files/documents/parkinsons-exercise-recommendations-infographic.pdf) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn