## 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 ![Marcia Guberman and her husband](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Marcia_Guberman.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=mC0g9_GD) People with PD ## Marcia Guberman I was [diagnosed](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") with Parkinson's disease (PD) in 2013, after over a year of my [symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms") being misdiagnosed. My husband and I were dumbfounded. Neither of us had anyone with Parkinson's in our families, and we knew nothing about the disease. While searching online for information about PD, I found the Parkinson's Foundation and decided to call the [Helpline](/resources-support/helpline "Helpline"). I talked to a Helpline specialist, who guided me through the [Foundation’s resources](/your-area "In Your Area") and told me about a five-day workshop taking place not far from my home in Pennsylvania. My husband and I attended the workshop, and we were submerged in education, [exercise](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise"), support groups and comradery. It was the best thing we could have done. I sat in on seminars led by doctors who stayed long after they were scheduled to speak, just to answer questions from attendees. The workshop took place three months after my diagnosis. Up until this point, I had not cried. For days, tears poured out of me during these sessions — I felt this was expected, because there were boxes of tissues throughout the room. I left after five days feeling empowered by a better understanding my disease. I no longer felt alone. My husband understood what I was going through. We came home from the workshop knowing others in our area living with Parkinson's. This was just the beginning of our journey in bringing [Parkinson's awareness](/parkinsons-awareness-month "Parkinson's Awareness Month") and resources to this corner of Pennsylvania. We started an annual 5k race that took place five years in a row, raising over $200,000 for [Parkinson's research](/advancing-research "Advancing Research"). I became involved in [clinical studies](/advancing-research/join-study "Join A Study") for Parkinson's research. One of these studies, which is being conducted in research centers around the world, is looking for biomarkers to diagnose and prevent PD. In 2020, I had [deep brain stimulation (DBS)](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/surgical-treatment-options/deep-brain-stimulation "Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)") surgery. I continue to share my experience with DBS and serve as a resource for others considering the surgery. I also make a difference by [volunteering](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer") with the Parkinson's Foundation. My continued involvement with the PD community has helped me feel like my experience with Parkinson's happened for a reason. My journey has been made easier by my family. My husband has been by my side since we attended the workshop together. He understands my challenges. My husband, along with our three children and their spouses, were tremendously involved in the success of the 5k. The support I have been given by my family has made this journey easier. **Learn how to get involved as a** [**Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador**](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer")**.** ## Related Materials Podcasts ### [ Episode 112: Non-pharmaceutical Treatments for PD: DBS and Focused Ultrasound ](/library/podcast/112) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/112) Podcasts ### [ Episode 3: The Benefits of Exercise for People with Parkinson's ](/library/podcast/3) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/3) Podcasts ### [ Episode 79: How Clinical Studies Help People with PD ](/library/podcast/79) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/79) ## 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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