## 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 ![Image of Tom Dobrinski smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Tom%20Dobrinski.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=KO3ddtIi) People with PD ## Tom Dobrinski When I first mentioned my symptoms during a routine annual physical in December 2020, I expected the usual advice — get more sleep, stretch more, maybe adjust my medication. I had just had knee replacement surgery the year prior on top of having ongoing arthritis and spine issues. It didn’t seem odd to me or my wife Shari that my [movements were slower](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/bradykinesia "Bradykinesia (Slowness of Movement)"), I had [difficulty turning](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/trouble-moving "Trouble Moving or Walking") in bed, and I had [fewer facial expressions](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/facial-masking "Facial Masking"). ![Tom Dobrinski holding walking poles in picture](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Tom%20in%20Spain.png?itok=FqU-bWOE) However, when I brought up these changes with Audrey Tatar, MD, at Northwestern Medicine, she grew somber and quiet. Then she said, “These are typical signs of Parkinson’s.” Parkinson’s? I knew that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience tremors, but I wasn’t shaking. Dr. Tatar referred me to Danny Bega, MD, at the [Northwestern Medicine Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center](https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/neurosciences/movement-disorders), a **[Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network")**. Six weeks later, Dr. Bega confirmed my [diagnosis](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed"). At first, I felt fear of the unknown, but also relief that it wasn’t something worse and that all my symptoms were occurring for a reason. Shari and I knew little about PD, but we were willing to do anything to slow its progression. I started medication, committed to staying active and got involved with the early intervention program at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. ![Tom Dobrinski riding a bike](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Tom%20on%20bike.png?itok=ZBe7Gsr0) Shari and I explored the [Parkinson.org](/node/79 "Homepage"), the Parkinson’s Foundation website, and found a wealth of resources, education and support. Together, we found events such as their [Moving Day walk](https://movingdaywalk.org/), as well as Tai Chi, ping pong, improv and dance classes through Northwestern Medicine. I’ve also found boxing three times a week at Rock Steady Boxing to be very beneficial. All these activities have reinforced the importance of both [exercise](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise") and community. I’ve met many inspiring people I would not have met otherwise, and that camaraderie has been invaluable. ![Tom, wife, and friends taking a selfie on an outdoor walk](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Tom%20and%20friends.png?itok=wU9rFsnt) Rather than holding me back, PD has pushed me to new experiences and unexpected places. I became an advocate for the Parkinson’s Voice Project, joined conversation groups where people with PD share their experiences, and enrolled in a Shirley Ryan AbilityLab program counting steps and heart rate. I’ve even hiked in Patagonia, Mont Blanc and the Dolomites, all of which were challenging but equally rewarding. For anyone newly diagnosed with PD, here is my advice: Don’t go through it alone. Engage with the community, exercise regularly and use the resources available to you. Shari has been my biggest supporter throughout this journey, encouraging me when I’ve needed it most. ![Tom Dobrinski and wife on a hike](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Tom%20and%20wife.png?itok=UHbYrBbO) For [care partners](/resources-support/carepartners "For Care Partners") of individuals newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Shari offers her advice: “Be a part of your partner’s journey. Remember that Parkinson's affects you as well and becomes a significant part of your life as a care partner. Encourage your partner to take charge of their health, stay informed about the disease, and seek support from others.” As the saying goes, **“When you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s, you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s.”** I wasn’t a textbook case, but each person’s experience with PD is unique; the right support and resources can make all the difference. **Learn more about the [Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center](https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/neurosciences/movement-disorders?utm_source=nm.org%2Fparkinsons&utm_medium=vanity&utm_campaign=parkinsons).** **Find the Parkinson’s exercise class that works for you! For virtual options, explore our [Fitness Friday videos](/resources-support/online-education/pdhealth "PD Health @ Home"). For in-person classes, visit your [local chapter’s webpage](/resources-support/find-your-chapter "Find Your Chapter") or call our [Helpline](/resources-support/helpline "Helpline") at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).** ## Related Materials Fact Sheets ### [ Pain in Parkinson's Disease ](/library/fact-sheets/pain) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/pain) 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) ## More Stories from the Parkinson's community ![Edwin Castillo headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/edwin-castillo-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=i2krUKZL) People with PD ### [ Edwin Castillo ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/edwin-castillo) READ NOW ![Tamara posing for a picture in a blue dress](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/tamara-zanvardine-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=T3TnAZYR) People with PD ### [ Tamara Zanvardine ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/tamara-zanvardine) READ NOW ![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 [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) ### Join the PD GENEration Today PD GENEration is an initiative that offers genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease. [ENROLL NOW](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn