## 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 ![Erinn_Flowers.png](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/erinn_flowers.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=9SCxFUku) People with PD ## Erinn Flowers Rarely is there a time that I don’t think about Warren. It’s uncanny. I don’t love him, yet he is with me all the time, so I seek ways to accept him. Warren is the name my three kids and I gave to my diagnosis of [young-onset Parkinson’s disease](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/young-onset-parkinsons "Young-Onset Parkinson's") (YOPD). Instead of saying the scary term, “Parkinson’s disease,” we laugh and say things like, “Warren is around,” or “Warren kept me awake all night.” I have no choice but to respect him, as he has taught me about gratitude and the importance of being present. I was [diagnosed](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") with YOPD at 41 years old. Following the diagnosis, I began to realize how many of my symptoms were [signs of Parkinson’s](/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-signs "10 Early Signs"). I had lost my [sense of smell](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/loss-of-smell "Loss of Smell") seventeen years earlier. At the time, I thought my son was especially sensitive to smells, and I often joked that he “took my sense of smell.” I was also a marathon runner and I started to [fall](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/postural-instability "Postural Instability (Balance & Falls)") a lot during training. My foot also started doing this funky, painful turn. I had no idea that this may have been a symptom of PD. Two years later, and with much stress in my life, I developed a [tremor](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/tremor "Tremor") in my arm and sought medical advice. When I visited a [neurologist](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/building-your-team "Building Your Care Team"), she watched me walk and noticed that my left arm did not swing. I had never even noticed that! I never imagined being diagnosed with YOPD. I was a single mom and a full-time teacher raising three kids. I tried to find child-friendly literature to explain Parkinson’s to my kids; there were some books, but most of them included a surplus of medical jargon. I am currently working on a children’s book to provide families with the springboard they need to discuss this disease and how it may impact them. I was in denial about PD for a long time, and it was my daughter’s school project that pushed me to accept my diagnosis. She created a carnival “Go Fish” game titled, “Fishing for a Cure for Parkinson’s.” WOW. Kids say the darndest things. Now ten years later, I “runwa” (run/walk) and try to get my heart rate up nearly every day. I walk “BIG” and do a variety of [exercises](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise"). I also try to challenge my brain daily. I am stronger than I have ever been, and I put my physical and mental health first. It hasn’t been easy, and Warren sometimes still shows up, but I [eat healthy](/living-with-parkinsons/management/diet-nutrition "Diet & Nutrition") and I have finally figured out how to [stay asleep](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/sleep-disorders "Sleep Disorders & Problems")! I work hard to keep a positive attitude. I was first introduced to the Parkinson’s Foundation through the [Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care program](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network"). Now that my children are older, I can devote more of my time to supporting the Foundation and assisting the Parkinson’s community! One way I show my support is through fundraising for [Moving Day](https://movingdaywalk.org/). This past year I raised more than $1,200 for Moving Day Twin Cities, and I plan on surpassing that amount next year. I look forward to sharing my knowledge about PD and finding more creative ways to raise money for [research](/advancing-research "Advancing Research"). I hope that one day, I can finally break up with Warren! **Learn the [10 early signs of Parkinson’s disease](/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-signs "10 Early Signs").** ## 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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