## 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 ![Scott Harrison riding his bike](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Scott_Harrison.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=aM-6qBL1) People with PD ## Scott Harrison I was a globe-trotting, corporate science professional with a year-round list of active hobbies — cycling, fly fishing, hiking, backpacking, bird hunting and cross-country skiing to name a few. My earliest Parkinson’s disease (PD) [symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms") were subtle and wouldn't have raised suspicions to anyone not already thinking about PD. First, I experienced difficult [bowel movements](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/constipation "Constipation & Nausea") and odd toe and foot cramps. At 50 years old (and seemingly out of nowhere), I developed a [foot drag](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/trouble-moving "Trouble Moving or Walking") which I attributed to a disc issue. At 58 years old, my local [neurologist](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/building-your-team "Building Your Care Team") added the term [Parkinsonism](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/types-parkinsonisms "Types of Parkinsonisms") to my health profile. Two years later, a different doctor — this time a movement disorders specialist — [diagnosed](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") me with Parkinson’s with 99% certainty. He asked me why I waited so long to see him, and I responded that I thought my symptoms were a result of a lower back problem. In truth, I was embarrassed and afraid of receiving a PD diagnosis. I thought it meant my life as I knew it was over. Over the next decade, I would experience all the more life-changing impacts of Parkinson’s. To my wife and friends, the symptoms had been obvious. I continued to blame my back until I turned 60, when the symptoms progressed so fast that I was unable to ride a bike or wade a rocky trout stream. After I began responding to PD [medication](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications "Prescription Medications"), I fought back with a vengeance. I enrolled in a [yoga class](https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/online-education/pdhealth#ff) to counter the [stiffness](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/rigidity "Rigidity"). I resumed my guitar practice to work on manual dexterity. I joined a table tennis league to improve agility and reflexes. I got on my road bike, and by late summer I was back to pre-PD form. I competed in a fly-fishing tournament and waded rushing mountain rivers. Nine months after I my diagnosis, my neurologist told me that if I weren’t his patient, he wouldn’t suspect I have Parkinson’s. I was back! It hasn’t been all roses since then. I live in Central Pennsylvania and there isn’t a [movement disorders specialist](/blog/awareness/8-movement-disorders-specialist "8 Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask a Movement Disorders Specialist") within 100 miles, so I’ve figured out a lot about managing the disease on my own. I subscribed to a Parkinson’s research journal to stay up to date on medical advances. I monitor my symptoms and ask for medication tweaks when things aren’t working right. I continue to modify my [physical therapy](https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/physical-occupational-speech-therapies#pt) program when something stops working or a new symptom develops. I discovered the Parkinson’s Foundation about a year ago. Their online [resources](/resources-support "Resources & Support") helped me make sense of my PD history. I watched remarkable [videos](https://www.youtube.com/ParkinsonDotOrg) that opened my mind to new knowledge about the disease. I wish I had known about the Foundation ten years earlier. I recently became a [Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer"). I am retired now and have decided to devote my volunteer efforts to helping the PD community in Central Pennsylvania, which has low access to specialized Parkinson’s care. I am engaging with senior care facilities by delivering [educational materials](/resources-support/pd-library "PD Library"), familiarizing staff with the Parkinson’s Foundation [website](/node/79 "Homepage") and connecting facility leadership with the organization so they can benefit directly from the excellent resources the Foundation provides. Nobody should have to navigate this disease on their own. **You can make a difference in the PD community. Become a [Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer") today.** ## 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? 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