## 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 ![DawnElla Rust out in nature smiling at the camera.](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/DawnEllaRust.png?h=d318f057&itok=nSu5rhkZ) People with PD ## DawnElla Rust My name is DawnElla Rust, and basketball was my first love. Though not a top-tier player like Caitlin Clark, I earned a scholarship for three years in college. I enjoyed training and knew my body well. After basketball, I stayed active with running, walking, weightlifting, hiking and rafting, while earning a Doctor of Education in Health Promotions and working as a university professor. My third love was teaching health in higher education, with my second love being my marriage in 1990. In 2010, I became interim chair of my department, a role I hated and which brought significant stress. Notable stress symptoms included my [right arm not swinging when I walked](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/stages "Stages of Parkinson's"), difficulty fastening seat belts, lack of blinking, [hand tremors](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/stages "Stages of Parkinson's"), an unexplained Achilles issue and increased [anxiety](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/stages "Stages of Parkinson's"). The body that I knew well was not working. Collectively, these symptoms led to a Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis, which shocked me. I knew nothing about Parkinson’s. Naively I even told a friend “Give me a couple of weeks and I will have this Parkinson’s thing figured out.” Initially, I believed I could quickly manage Parkinson's, but 15 years later, “I’m still figuring it out.” I am better today thanks to invaluable [resources](https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support) from the Parkinson’s Foundation. One valuable resource is their trained professionals who offer [phone support](https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/helpline), especially on difficult days — and there are difficult days. I often use these Parkinson’s Foundation resources in an educational approach to openly discuss my [diagnosis](https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed), because a teacher always teaches! > **We’re here for you. > For answers to your Parkinson’s questions, call or email our Helpline. 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636)** As a university health professor, I was able to educate others on managing chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. I taught a course on Social and Emotional Health, emphasizing the impact of social connections and emotions on physical well-being. The Parkinson’s Foundation's mission, "Better Lives. Together.", aligns with the principles I have taught and lived by. Teaching concepts related to happiness, gratitude, humor and awe has empowered me to maintain a positive quality of life despite my diagnosis. Student feedback indicated that my personal narrative significantly contributed to their understanding of living well. > **The health philosophy I advocate for is one where individuals strive to live well in the face of illness, disability and trauma.** Life inevitably presents challenges, such as the loss of loved ones, catastrophic events and diagnoses like Parkinson’s. I retired in 2024 after 30 years in higher education due to [non-movement symptoms](https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/anxiety) affecting my teaching, but I continue to educate and live a fulfilling life in retirement. **Explore helpful Parkinson’s [resources](https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support) and browse by topic, from [mental wellness](https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/pd-library?library_topics=5) and [treatments](https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/pd-library?library_topics=10) to [fitness and diet](https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/pd-library?library_topics=4).** ## 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 ![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 ![Melinda Young headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/melinda-young-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=IGUTuGIt) People with PD ### [ Melinda Young ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/melinda-young) READ NOW ![Jessica R. headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/jessica-r-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=l6Bl0YfL) People with PD ### [ Jessica R. ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/jessica-r) 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) ### Volunteer Join our team! We rely on the energy, skill, and passion of people like you to make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). [LEARN MORE](/how-to-help/volunteer) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn