My PD Story

My name is DawnElla Rust, and basketball was my first love. Though not a top-tier player like Caitlin Clark, I earned a scholarship for three years in college. I enjoyed training and knew my body well. After basketball, I stayed active with running, walking, weightlifting, hiking and rafting, while earning a Doctor of Education in Health Promotions and working as a university professor. My third love was teaching health in higher education, with my second love being my marriage in 1990.

In 2010, I became interim chair of my department, a role I hated and which brought significant stress. Notable stress symptoms included my right arm not swinging when I walked, difficulty fastening seat belts, lack of blinking, hand tremors, an unexplained Achilles issue and increased anxiety. The body that I knew well was not working. Collectively, these symptoms led to a Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis, which shocked me.

I found a wealth of information on medication selection, dosage, timing, drug interactions and side effects. I was encouraged by the few articles discussing the positive impact of exercise, although most never went beyond the old Nike commercial of “Just Do It!” The same generalities appeared in most diet advice, though it was often contradictory.  

I knew nothing about Parkinson’s. Naively I even told a friend “Give me a couple of weeks and I will have this Parkinson’s thing figured out.” Initially, I believed I could quickly manage Parkinson's, but 15 years later, “I’m still figuring it out.”

I am better today thanks to invaluable resources from the Parkinson’s Foundation. One valuable resource is their trained professionals who offer phone support, especially on difficult days — and there are difficult days. I often use these Parkinson’s Foundation resources in an educational approach to openly discuss my diagnosis, because a teacher always teaches!

We’re here for you.
For answers to your Parkinson’s questions, call or email our Helpline. 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636)

As a university health professor, I was able to educate others on managing chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. I taught a course on Social and Emotional Health, emphasizing the impact of social connections and emotions on physical well-being. The Parkinson’s Foundation's mission, "Better Lives. Together.", aligns with the principles I have taught and lived by.

Teaching concepts related to happiness, gratitude, humor and awe has empowered me to maintain a positive quality of life despite my diagnosis. Student feedback indicated that my personal narrative significantly contributed to their understanding of living well.

"The health philosophy I advocate is one where individuals strive to live well in the face of illness, disability and trauma."

Life inevitably presents challenges, such as the loss of loved ones, catastrophic events and diagnoses like Parkinson’s. I retired in 2024 after 30 years in higher education due to non-movement symptoms affecting my teaching, but I continue to educate and live a fulfilling life in retirement.

Explore helpful Parkinson’s resources and browse by topic, from mental wellness and treatments to fitness and diet.