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  ## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons)
- [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories)
 
  

 

  # My PD Story

 

   ![nikita_krielaart](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/nikita_krielaart.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=u7udXFAD)  

 People with PD 

##  Nikita Krielaart 

 

  I am 23 years old, and I have had [young-onset Parkinson's disease](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/young-onset-parkinsons "Young-Onset Parkinson's") (YOPD) for three years.

My story could be a movie.

I was in my last year of studying to be a pedagogic worker and after, I planned to study psychology, but my future changed in 2018 when I was on Christmas holiday.

I was excited to take ski lessons. I have always loved to learn to new things.

On the morning of my first day of ski lessons, my hands were shaking uncontrollably. I wasn't able to hold my cup or eat cereal. At first, I thought that it was just nerves, but throughout the holiday, the tremor got worse. I had trouble putting the keys in the door to unlock it, tying my shoes, buttoning up my blouse and unzipping my bag.

At the end of the holiday, I also had trouble walking because of muscle stiffness and slowness of movements, so I went to the doctor.

I was diagnosed with an essential tremor, but things got worse from there. I started thinking slower and had less expression on my face. I went to the neurologist for several scans and blood test. Then, I started with Levodopa and we were all flabbergasted. The tremor disappeared and I could walk better.

That’s how I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

I started to live day-by-day trying to understand Parkinson's and its effects. It's mind-blowing, how this disease works — one moment you can walk, another moment you can't move.

I like to learn about Parkinson's and want to spread my story to inspire, and encourage others to talk about Parkinson’s, too.

I watch the [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/parkinsondotorg) Live sessions with Dr. Michael Okun and other webinars on various topics like [diet](/blog/research/nutrition "The Latest in Nutrition and Parkinson's Disease"), [exercise](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise"), [non-motor symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms "Non-Movement Symptoms") and [COVID-19](/living-with-parkinsons/management/covid "COVID-19") as it pertains to Parkinson’s disease.

I really like to listen to music. It helps me move better and think more clearly.

My advice is to live by the day! See what works for you each day, and if it’s too much, just check back another day and see what you can do then.

I wish you all the best. Know that you are not alone.

  ##  Related Materials 

   Fact Sheets 

###  [ My Parent Has Parkinson's. What Does It Mean? ](/library/fact-sheets/parent-has-parkinsons) 

 

 [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/parent-has-parkinsons) 

 Fact Sheets 

###  [ Support Group Leader Guide ](/library/books/support-group-leader-guide) 

 

 [Read Now](/library/books/support-group-leader-guide) 

 Podcasts 

###  [ Episode 58: Talking to Your Employer About PD Series Part 2: Disability Inclusion and Accommodation at Work ](/library/podcast/58) 

 

 [Listen Now](/library/podcast/58) 

 

  ##  More Stories 

 from the Parkinson's community

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 People with PD 

###  [ Gary Krajewski ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/gary-krajewski) 

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 ![Melinda Young headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/melinda-young-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=IGUTuGIt)  

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###  [ Melinda Young ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/melinda-young) 

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 ![Jessica R. headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/jessica-r-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=l6Bl0YfL)  

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###  [ Jessica R. ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/jessica-r) 

  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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