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- [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

 

   ![Henia Zames and family at Moving Day](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Henia_Zames-family.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=Hl28-uvO)  

 Family Members 

##  Henia Zames 

 

  Three years ago, I started my [Moving Day](https://movingdaywalk.org/) team: Grandpas' Grand Legacies. When I was little, both of my grandfathers were [diagnosed](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") with Parkinson's disease (PD). Being so young, I didn't quite understand what [living with this disease](/living-with-parkinsons "Living with Parkinson's") meant for them. I knew that they were sick, but I also thought that because I loved them, they would be around forever.

Sadly, Parkinson's disease took my Grandpa Leslie's (Dr. Leslie Davis) life in September 2019. He was a passionate, loving cheerleader for his entire family who always wanted the best for us. A few months later, in April 2020, my Grandpa Ira (Israel Zames) passed away. He always reminded his family what a proud grandfather he was, and he always made sure we knew how amazing we were.

 ![Henia Zames and his granddaughter playing the piano](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Henia_Zames-granddaughter.jpg?itok=89gK1AHT)  These two losses hit me like a ton of bricks. I was determined to make sure that no one would have to feel the sorrow and [grief](/blog/awareness/grief "6 Questions for Exploring Your Parkinson’s-Related Grief") that I felt because of my grandfathers' battles with Parkinson's disease. I took to my computer, searching for ways I could make a difference for people living with PD. I found an incredible organization, [resource](/resources-support "Resources & Support") and most importantly, community: the Parkinson's Foundation. Through this organization, I have been able to meet people who experienced the same cycle of emotions, [loss and grief](/blog/care/bereavement "Care Partner Grief: 8 Ways to Care for Yourself During Bereavement") as I did from losing a loved one with Parkinson’s.

[Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s](https://movingdaywalk.org/) has given me incredible opportunities to impact the PD community. I was given the chance to share my story during the “We Move” ceremony at my local Moving Day in 2021, and I was recognized as the top fundraiser at Moving Day Central NY in 2022! By joining the PD community, I have been able to carry on my grandfathers' legacies and make life better for those living with Parkinson's disease. Thanks to Moving Day, I have been able to raise the awareness that We Care. We Fight. We Move.

**Connect with your local community at Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s.** [**Find a Moving Day event near you.**](https://movingdaywalk.org/)

  ##  More Stories 

 from the Parkinson's community

   ![Anika Ganu performing on a keyboard](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/anika-ganu-pd-story-hero.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=d6Nv7YCl)  

 Family Members 

###  [ Anika Ganu ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/anika-ganu) 

  READ NOW  

 

 ![Christine Shearman and her father](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/Christine-Shearman-father.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=-SGVTDQ5)  

 Family Members 

###  [ Christine Shearman ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/christine-shearman) 

  READ NOW  

 

 ![Epin Christensen running](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/Epin%20Christensen.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=T0wG6Wrd)  

 Family Members 

###  [ Epin Christensen ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/epin-christensen) 

  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) 

 

 

 ###  Celebrate a Loved One 

 Start a tribute page in honor of a loved one living with Parkinson’s or celebrate their legacy by creating a memorial fundraiser.

 [START A TRIBUTE PAGE](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/TR?fr_id=5906&pg=entry) 

 

 

 

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