## 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 ![Michael Waterstone posing in library](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/michael_waterstone.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=OO61lPYo) Family Members ## Michael Waterstone For Michael Waterstone, newly named regional co-chair of the [Reach Further campaign](/node/859) for the Parkinson’s Foundation [California Chapter](/california "California Chapter"), tackling Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a family affair. Michael’s mother Judy lives with PD. In her honor, the whole family comes together annually to raise money for Parkinson’s research, care and education for the Foundation’s [Moving Day Walk](https://movingdaywalk.org/). “With Parkinson’s, there are lots of uncertainties and challenging aspects, so it always feels good to do something uplifting together,” said Michael. Recruited as a member of the inaugural [California Chapter](/california "California Chapter") Advisory Board, Michael has served since 2020 on the board development committee and also recently made an inspirational lead gift to set the Reach Further campaign off on strong footing. The campaign’s ambitious four-year goals include raising an additional $30 million to accelerate the Foundation’s work to [advance research](/advancing-research "Advancing Research") toward a cure and expand [community care](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network") and [programs](/resources-support/community-grants "Community Grants"). “The Foundation is a good steward of resources to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s and their families,” said Michael. “I like the idea of giving the Foundation a broader platform to make a bigger difference.” ![Michael Waterstone with family](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/michael_waterstone-1.png?itok=pwIwadZz) As Reach Further regional campaign co-chair, Michael will lead campaign fundraising efforts within the Parkinson’s Foundation California Chapter and will work to inspire others to support the campaign’s critical goals. For Michael and his family, the Reach Further campaign’s emphasis on [expanding care](https://www.parkinson.org/Reach/OurInitiatives#expanding-care) to ensure that everyone with PD has the opportunity to work with a [specialized medical team](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/building-your-team "Building Your Care Team") is particularly impactful. Michael said, “As volunteers, what we all want is to feel we are contributing in a way that helps and makes a difference, and I am hopeful that this is an area I can do that. At the end of the day, what we are all hoping for is to make the lives of people with Parkinson’s better.” For the Waterstone family, which includes Michael’s wife and three children, Michael’s father Stuart, sisters Debi and Rebecca, and their children, frequent family gatherings help them stay connected and face the continued uncertainties of PD. When asked what advice he might offer to other [families facing Parkinson’s disease](/blog/awareness/after-symptoms "What To Do After You Notice Parkinson’s Symptoms"), Michael said, “The more family and friends and loved ones you have around the better. Everyone is going to need to support each other.” ***Help us Reach Further. [Donate](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?df_id=10407&mfc_pref=T&10407.donation=form1) and check our campaign progress at [Parkinson.org/Reach](/node/859). Find opportunities to volunteer at [Parkinson.org/Volunteer](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer") or call the [Helpline](/resources-support/helpline "Helpline") at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).*** ## Related Materials Fact Sheets ### [ Getting Involved in Research ](/library/fact-sheets/research) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/research) Fact Sheets ### [ Genetics ](/library/fact-sheets/genetics) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/genetics) Books ### [ Women and Parkinson's Research and Care Agenda ](/library/books/women-research-care-agenda) [Read Now](/library/books/women-research-care-agenda) ## 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) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn