My PD Story

For Mark, navigating a Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis, symptoms and all that comes with the disease has been a rollercoaster. 

“At times, it was nightmarish,” he said. “As symptoms make life more difficult, you can get frustrated, but with the right medications, care and time, it has gotten better. I feel like I’m in a pretty good place right now, but it has been a bumpy road.” 

Mark was diagnosed in 2019 and found that one of the frustrating parts of Parkinson’s disease was its impact on hobbies he loved. While he once loved playing guitar, fly fishing and wood carving, his movement symptoms made these hobbies difficult.

“I gave up a lot of hobbies, not to mention travel,” Mark said. “But I learned you have to replace those things and find new things to do you may not have thought would make you happy.”

In his search for new hobbies, Mark found himself picking up a paint brush for the first time in his life.

“I didn’t even think I could sketch,” he said. “But I needed something to do. I used to think of my garden as my canvas, or my wood carvings. I owned and operated my own advertising agency for the better part of 40 years, so I lived every day around creative people. I decided to give watercolor painting a try.”

Mark bought supplies and started painting. 

“At first, I was so bad. Then, I spent some time on YouTube watching tutorials, and I started learning and improving. I just gave it a try, hoping it would be something to help me find joy and happiness again. Now, I’m close to being addicted!”

Every morning, Mark wakes up early and picks up his brushes. He said there are some mornings he knows there is a project waiting that he can’t wait to get to. 

Mark accumulated so many paintings, that he started giving them away, which also made him feel good. Then, his son, Nate, came up with an even better idea: starting a TikTok to showcase the paintings and sell them to support Parkinson’s research and awareness.

After starting the TikTok account, Mark connected with the Parkinson’s Foundation and became a Parkinson’s Champion. Now, he showcases his work online and sells his paintings, giving the proceeds to the Foundation. So far, he’s raised more than $2,000 and will continue to sell paintings to benefit the Foundation while raising awareness.

Now, Mark and Nate work together to spread the word about Parkinson’s disease through Mark’s paintings online. Their relationship has grown through this experience, and as they navigate living in close proximity, as Mark and his wife, Jill, have moved into a casita behind the house Nate shares with his wife and two daughters. 

Jill was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about two years after Mark received his PD diagnosis, and living close to Nate and his family has allowed them independence while staying close to family who double as care partners.

“It has been hard to watch my parents give up things they loved, and we have all lost some independence, but my wife and I felt this set-up made the most sense for everyone. We’re a family unit, and sharing our story and the way we have made this set-up work for us is important to me,” said Nate. “There are hard days, but it is working for us.”

Through his journey with Parkinson’s, Mark has found it helpful to focus on the good that has come out of it, like time with his family and his newfound hobbies. In addition to painting, he now loves to write and has written and published five books since his PD diagnosis.

“I’ve had to focus on finding gratitude and learning how to be grateful in spite of everything,” Mark said. “You have to swallow your pride and just be grateful for people who love you and help you through things. So, I'm learning to be a more grateful person.”

“Parkinson’s doesn’t kill you,” Mark said. “Sitting in a chair, letting apathy get the best of you, letting Parkinson’s get the best of you is what will kill you. I hope my art helps tell that story. You can do hard things and lead a happy, joyful life. Challenge yourself to do something you never thought of. In my case, it was painting. I’ve tried to be a good student of my disease, and I’ve learned that you can trigger more dopamine by being active, communicating with others and doing difficult things. I’m so happy to sell these paintings and do something good with the money.”

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