My PD Story

In 2023, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) at the age of 50. To say it was a shock would be an understatement. It was the kind of news that stops you in your tracks and changes everything.

In the beginning, I had a lot of questions and very few answers. My husband, Rocky, and I found ourselves navigating unfamiliar territory while trying to understand what this diagnosis meant for our future and our family. Like so many people living with Parkinson's, I quickly learned that while the diagnosis was life-changing, it did not define us.

While I was still processing my diagnosis, Rocky reached out to the Parkinson's Foundation to learn how he could get involved and support the Parkinson's community. He joined the Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter early on and became connected to an incredible network of people who understood this journey.

For nearly two years, we kept my diagnosis private from our four boys as we worked through it ourselves. Once we finally shared the news, something shifted in me. I decided I was all in. Instead of hiding from Parkinson's, I wanted to learn, connect and help others.

The Parkinson's Foundation introduced me to an extraordinary community of people living with Parkinson's, care partners, advocates, researchers and healthcare professionals. Through those connections, I found my voice. What began as one of the most difficult moments of my life became my purpose.

That purpose inspired Rocky and me to become Parkinson's Champions. We are strong believers in clinical trials, and I have personally participated in two of them. Through these experiences, we developed a deep appreciation for the importance of clinical research and the role it plays in advancing better treatments and outcomes. 

Without these trials, progress stalls. That realization strengthened our commitment to supporting this work in every way we can, including raising awareness and funding for the Parkinson's Foundation.

As a planner by nature, I believed that with the right idea and the right team, we could create meaningful impact. We joined forces with fellow Parkinson's Champion and good friend, Jordan Levin, to build a community-wide challenge designed to inspire people to get active while raising awareness and funding for the Parkinson's Foundation.

What began as a competitive rowing challenge quickly evolved into something far more meaningful. We realized the real value wasn't in competition — it was in getting people moving. From there, the challenge expanded beyond rowing to include power walking, running, biking and any form of movement people enjoyed.

In the end, it became less about competition and more about movement, community and coming together in support of a cause that matters deeply to us.

The Million Meter Challenge became something much larger than Parkinson's disease alone. It became a reflection of life itself.

The Million represented connection and community. We didn't have a million people, but it often felt like we did.

The Meters represented movement. Every step, every row, every spin mattered. Nothing was taken for granted.

The Challenge became a reflection of what we can accomplish together through movement, connection and community as the foundation of living well. No one has to endure this disease alone.

Our biggest takeaway was the power of community and the reminder that we are all in this together. We were incredibly proud to watch our Million Meter Challenge movers accomplish things they never thought possible and to see the challenge grow far beyond anything we originally imagined.

Parkinson's is not a club anyone wants to join. But the Million Meter Challenge showed us that together, anything is possible. It reminded us that health is something we should never take for granted and reinforced one simple but powerful message: Don't wait for disease to knock on your door before you start taking care of your body, your mind and your life.

Through the Parkinson's Foundation, the Million Meter Challenge and the people we've met along the way, I've learned that while Parkinson's changes lives, community changes them too.

Looking back, my diagnosis changed the course of my life in ways I never expected. It also introduced me to a community that helped me find hope, purpose and the confidence to use my voice. 

Jen & Rocky are recipients of the Parkinson’s Foundation Top Fundraisers Award.  Learn how you can become a Parkinson’s Champion today.