## 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 ![Hannah Griffiths](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Hannah-Griffiths-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=_6gAlKHK) Health Professionals ## Hannah Griffiths My name is Hannah Griffiths, and I am both a healthcare professional and a family member of someone living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). My father, William, was diagnosed more than 10 years ago, and at that time, our family had little understanding of what the diagnosis truly meant. Even as a Registered Nurse with several years of experience, I found myself uncertain about the intricacies of the disease. His [diagnosis](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") profoundly influenced me, inspiring my commitment to support not only my parents — my father as a patient and my mother as his primary [caregiver](/resources-support/carepartners "For Care Partners") — but also others affected by Parkinson’s. About nine years ago, while driving home from work, I heard a radio announcement for the Parkinson’s Foundation [Moving Day walk](https://movingdaywalk.org/events/). Our family decided to participate that year, and it quickly became an annual tradition. > I encourage anyone impacted by Parkinson’s to attend Moving Day, as the event offers an incredible opportunity to experience firsthand the sense of community, support and resources available. I currently serve as an Instructor of Clinical Nursing at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, a [Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network#Centers "Global Care Network"), where I teach in both lab and clinical settings. ![Hannah Griffiths with her parents ](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Hannah-Griffiths-pd-story-float.jpg?itok=e6Uq0i1X) Recently, I had the privilege of attending the [Edmond J. Safra Nurse Educator Program](/resources-support/professionals/online-courses/safra-visiting-nurse-educator "Edmond J. Safra Nurse Educator Program") on Parkinson’s Disease in Philadelphia, PA. During this program, I collaborated closely with providers in a movement disorders clinic and observed the highly specialized, patient-centered care delivered to people with PD. The PD experts generously shared their clinical insights, and I was able to observe patient appointments that demonstrated the holistic and multidisciplinary nature of Parkinson’s care. This experience has deepened my understanding and passion for improving PD education. I am eager to integrate what I have learned into our nursing curriculum to better prepare future nurses to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the Parkinson’s [community](/how-to-help/volunteer/community-networks/newly-diagnosed "Newly Diagnosed Community Network"). **Find expert Parkinson’s care near you. Find your closest designated center in our [Global Care Network](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network") or call our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) for local referrals.** ## 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) Podcasts ### [ Episode 142: Being There for Your Parent with Parkinson’s ](/library/podcast/142) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/142) Podcasts ### [ Episode 51: Expanding Parkinson's Disease Medical Education ](/library/podcast/51) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/51) ## More Stories from the Parkinson's community ![Lynn Scott climbing stairs](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/lynn-scott-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=RBU6e8Ts) Health Professionals ### [ Lynn Scott ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/lynn-scott) READ NOW ![Benjamin Friedman headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/benjamin-friedman-pd-story-preview.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=VLewkRoz) Health Professionals ### [ Benjamin Friedman, MD ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/benjamin-friedman) READ NOW ![Aleksandra Gebska headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/aleksandra-gebska-preview.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=NA_YONEM) Health Professionals ### [ Aleksandra Gebska ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/aleksandra-gebska) 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) ### Donate Today We have everything you need to live better with Parkinson's. Support our mission to improve care and advance research toward a cure. [GIVE NOW](?form=19983) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn