## Breadcrumb

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- [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

 

   ![Mark Millow presenting at PF event](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Mark_Milow_PDStory.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=GhvkhqEl)  

 People with PD 

##  Mark Milow 

 

  In 2021, I was diagnosed with [Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD)](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/young-onset-parkinsons "Young-Onset Parkinson's") — a form of Parkinson’s that affects people 50 and under. What began as a devastating and isolating diagnosis has transformed into my life’s mission: to educate, advocate and inspire others navigating life with Parkinson’s.

 ![Mark Milow holding a dog](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Blog%20In-line%20%28WYSIWYG-float%29%20%281%29_0.png?itok=9HPVeSku)  My journey didn’t start with inspiration — it started with fear, grief and questions like, *“Why me?”* But through connection with the Parkinson’s community, I discovered strength, purpose and hope. Sharing my story online became my therapy and, eventually, my platform. Today, I’m proud to use my voice to empower others, dismantle stigma and create meaningful conversations around Parkinson’s disease.

I built a thriving social media presence on [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@markinthepark21?_t=ZT-8zGuefSzoVC&_r=1) and [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/markinthepark21), where I share raw, real, and educational content about Parkinson’s. This advocacy has opened doors for me to serve as a [**Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador**](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer"), a [Southwest Chapter Advisory Board Member](/southwest "Southwest Chapter"), and a [People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council (PPAC)](/about-us/leadership/parkinsons-advisory-council "People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council") member. These roles have deepened my commitment to creating community and pushing for progress in Parkinson’s [care](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/building-your-team "Building Your Care Team"), support and awareness.

Beyond advocacy, I’ve turned my story into a platform for motivation and education:

- **Public Speaking and Training:** Delivering keynote speeches, workshops and motivational talks on resilience, advocacy and [navigating life-changing diagnoses](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") — even infusing a little humor in along the way.
- **Podcast Host:** Creator of *The Mark In The Park Podcast* — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and YouTube — where I dive deep into life with Parkinson’s.

For me, advocacy is more than raising awareness — it’s about turning pain into purpose. My goal is to make Parkinson’s **visible, relatable and hopeful**, and to remind others that life after diagnosis is not over. It’s simply a new chapter.

**Mark is a Parkinson’s Foundation volunteer who received our Rising Star Award in 2023.** [**Meet our top volunteers**](https://www.parkinson.org/blog/awareness/2023-volunteer-awardees) **and explore** [**ways to get involved today**](https://www.parkinson.org/node/74)**.**

  ##  Related Materials 

   Podcasts 

###  [ Episode 10: Young-Onset Parkinson’s 101 ](/library/podcast/10) 



 [Listen Now](/library/podcast/10)

   Podcasts 

###  [ Episode 125: Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease: Lifestyle, Family, and Counseling ](/library/podcast/125) 



 [Listen Now](/library/podcast/125)

   Fact Sheets 

###  [ Fatigue ](/library/fact-sheets/fatigue) 



 [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/fatigue)

  

  ##  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?

 [SUBMIT YOUR STORY](/living-with-parkinsons/my-pd-story/submit) 

 

 

 

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