## 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 ![Peggy Faber holding a baby crocodile after a race](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Peggy_Faber.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=j7GrN6pP) People with PD ## Peggy Faber **Dream. Believe. Achieve. Succeed**. This is my mantra. I have these words mounted above a window in my home. I live by these words, even more so now, since I have been [diagnosed](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") with Parkinson’s disease (PD). I am someone who dreams big, sets goals, puts a plan in place to achieve those goals and then works her tail off to ensure those dreams come true! With Parkinson’s, I’ve had to become more flexible, adjusting and modifying my goals and making changes as necessary. Being a runner/walker all my life naturally led to some lofty goals. One example is my dream to complete a marathon (yup, that’s 26.2 miles) in all 50 states. About halfway through my journey, after finishing the Oh Boy Marathon in Connecticut, I caught a red eye to Los Angeles. I arrived just in time for a quick shower followed by an intense shareholders meeting — in which I played an essential role as Chief Financial Officer. Walking (more like staggering) to the hotel after that meeting I noticed a slight [tremor](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/tremor "Tremor") in my left hand. It was easy to write it off as stress or exhaustion from the previous day’s events. A few more tremors, a couple of doctor visits later, and a [DaTscan](/blog/research/datscan-petscan "What's Hot in PD? Should I get a DaTscan or PET scan to confirm my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease?") resulted in my PD diagnosis shortly thereafter. My goal to complete a marathon in 50 states did not change but I knew I would have to work harder to make it happen. I found that out during a race around mile 20 when my [gait and balance](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/postural-instability "Postural Instability (Balance & Falls)") started to suffer. Other concerned racers asked if I needed help or medical attention. I thanked them for their concern and said, “This is what Parkinson’s looks like; help us find a cure.” ![Peggy Faber with her race medals](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Peggy_Faber-medals.jpg?itok=q04KAV6u) I made a shirt that says, “50 States Countdown Fighting Parkinson’s 1 mile at a time.” Now, when I wear it, people come up to me and say, “You’re such an Inspiration” or “I can’t believe you’re doing this” or “My Dad/Aunt/Brother/Friend…has PD, can I tell them your story?” One of the reasons I joined [Parkinson’s Champions](/how-to-help/fundraise/create-fundraiser "Create Your Own Fundraiser") is to team up with other athletes with PD and be part of a louder voice in raising awareness and advancements in the **dream** to end Parkinson’s. For the past several years I’ve been doing everything I can to fight off Parkinson’s. In addition to putting in the long training miles needed for the marathons, I’ve added cycling classes, lap swimming, and line dancing to my exercise regime. Through the Parkinson’s Foundation I’ve found a Rock Steady Boxing gym, ping pong tournaments and the annual Sole Support Walk that I participate in. My [physical therapist](/library/fact-sheets/physical-therapy "Physical Therapy and PD") uses the tag line “Exercise is Medicine” and we both believe that my rigorous workouts have helped me keep my Parkinson’s symptoms at bay. Now I can say I am fully living my mantra **Dream. Believe. Achieve. Succeed.** I never lost sight of the **dream**! I firmly **believed** I could complete 50 marathons in 50 states. I **achieved** my goal, and on September 22, 2024, I **succeeded** in completing the Adirondack Marathon in NY with family, friends and a few hundred cheering fans to help me celebrate. But the **dream** does not stop here. I will continue to fight Parkinson’s with everything in me, while doing my best to encourage and inspire others to do the same. **Learn more about becoming a [Parkinson’s Champion](/how-to-help/fundraise/create-fundraiser "Create Your Own Fundraiser").** ## Related Materials Fact Sheets ### [ Occupational Therapy & Parkinson's ](/library/fact-sheets/occupational-therapy) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/occupational-therapy) Fact Sheets ### [ Nutrition and PD ](/library/fact-sheets/nutrition) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/nutrition) Audiobooks ### [ Fitness Counts: A Body Guide to Parkinson’s Disease ](/library/audiobooks/fitness) [Listen Now](/library/audiobooks/fitness) ## More Stories from the Parkinson's community ![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 ![Melinda Young headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/melinda-young-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=IGUTuGIt) People with PD ### [ Melinda Young ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/melinda-young) READ NOW ![Jessica R. headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/jessica-r-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=l6Bl0YfL) People with PD ### [ 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) ### Parkinson's Exercise Recommendations The Parkinson's Foundation, in collaboration with the American College of Sports Medicine, created new Parkinson’s disease exercise recommendations to provide people with PD safe and effective exercise programs and instruction. [Download Fact Sheet](https://www.parkinson.org/sites/default/files/documents/parkinsons-exercise-recommendations-infographic.pdf) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn