It’s February 25, 2020 and I’m 38 years old, married with three kids under 5. I finished the NYC Marathon three years ago and since then my left leg and arm slowly stopped swinging while I ran or walked. I’ve seen every specialist under the sun over the past three years and if someone tells me I should “try yoga” again my head might explode. I was finally able to make an appointment with a movement disorders specialist, a neurologist with specialized training in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other movement disorders.  

My neurologist calls me back into the exam room and asks me several questions. He nods his head up and down knowingly. Then he says, “let’s see you walk some.” I get halfway down the hallway, and I hear “that’s good, turnaround and come back.” As he ushers me into the exam room again, he says “let’s sit down.” Judging by the expression on his face I think to myself this doesn’t look good. “I’m sorry to tell you this but you have early-onset Parkinson’s disease.”  

At that point I knew very little about Parkinson’s disease other than that I’d heard Michael J Fox has it. What about my family? My kids? What about my career? What about my mortgage? And a hundred other questions start flying through my head. The world around me is closing in and there’s not a whole lot I can do about it.  

Back in the exam room and I gather the courage to ask, “am I going to die from this?” My doctor looks up at me and says “let’s take this one day at a time. I’m going to prescribe you medicine and let’s get you running again.” Running has always been my escape and my anchor in tough times. “Let’s get you running again” was music to my ears. 

Since then, I’ve learned an awful lot about Parkinson’s and how it affects me as well as others. I’ve made some amazing friends, and I continue to live my life to the fullest. Since my diagnosis I’ve toed the line at two 200+ mile races and finished several marathons and ultra-marathons. I’m the head coach of my son’s football team and cheer on my daughters at all their sporting events. I’ve started a non-profit organization to further the research and development of new medicines, techniques and treatments that support patients diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s.  

I’m as active as I’ve ever been and what I want others to know, especially those newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, that you are not your diagnosis and you can live an amazingly fulfilling life.  

This April, in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month I will be running the Boston Marathon as a Parkinson’s Champion as part of Team Abbott and I couldn’t be more excited. Hope to see you on the racecourse! 

Learn more about Abbott’s new DBS Ambassador Program. 

Run as a Parkinson’s Champion today! Help raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular endurance events. 

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) in August 2017 at the age of 44. The year prior, I started noticing subtle changes in my handwriting and my right leg felt less stable. I was referred to a neurologist. He dismissed my symptoms, attributing them to a pinched nerve or stress. But things continued to worsen. My handwriting was illegible at times, and I felt increasingly stiff and off-balance.  

A year later, my chiropractor recommended I seek a second opinion. This time, two different neurologists reached the same conclusion: I had Parkinson’s. I was filled with anger and disbelief. The fear of how PD would steal my independence was overwhelming. 

For nearly a year, I kept my diagnosis a secret. Only my partner (now my husband) knew. I did not even tell my three children. My daughter was in her senior year of college and wanted to attend graduate school on the West Coast to pursue a master's degree in architecture. I did not want her to feel obligated to stay close to home, so I kept my condition hidden until after her graduation and commitment to graduate school.  

It was difficult to grapple with the reality of PD while maintaining a facade of normalcy. 

After finally opening up about my diagnosis, a friend with PD recommended Rock Steady Boxing. It was a major turning point. The program reshaped my attitude. My new mantra became, "I'm taking command of PD, and not letting it take command of me." This newfound determination inspired me to take a proactive approach to managing my condition. 

Another friend, an occupational therapist, suggested I see a neurologist at the renowned Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago. It was a game-changer, motivating me to explore every therapy and treatment available: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, osteopathic manipulation, massage, chiropractic, dry needling — anything that could help me live a fuller life. I have also participated in research studies, hoping to contribute to a better understanding of PD. 

However, the demands of my job left little time for prioritizing my health. I realized I had to make a change. After a 30-year career centered around government, I decided to put my health first and pursue something more flexible.  

In August 2024, I launched Pat&Lily, an online boutique selling ethically sourced women's clothing and accessories. A portion of our profit is going to my local Rock Steady Boxing affiliate. I hope to make this amazing program more accessible to people in my community and to raise awareness nationwide.  

While PD has presented significant challenges, it has also compelled me to reevaluate my priorities and cherish each day. Kudos to the Parkinson's Foundation for their unwavering support of the PD community. Participating in Moving Day events and accessing their online resources have been helpful in my journey.  

I am grateful to have found strength in a community of people facing similar struggles, and I am determined to keep fighting. Together we can take command of PD until a cure is found. 

Explore Parkinson’s Foundation resources that can help you today.  

Nowadays it seems that everyone knows someone who has Parkinson’s disease (PD). And when you talk with folks, they respond with something like, “Oh, isn’t that the disease that causes people’s hands to shake?” That was me. 

Then, in the spring of 2017 I noticed some far away distant trembling in my right hand. I didn’t pay too much attention but mentioned it to my general practitioner at my next physical exam. “We better keep an eye on that,” he cautioned. 

Gradually, the shaking/trembling increased. Wait a minute, what was going on here. “Maybe it was a form of essential tremors,” a friend quipped. Someone mentioned DaTscan. DaTscan?! To Google I did go!  

According to my Google search, I found that a DaTscan “involves the injection of a small amount of an iodine-based radioactive material into the bloodstream to help doctors assess the level of dopamine receptor cells in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that transmits messages between nerve cells and muscles, which ultimately helps control movement.” 

For help finding a health professional who knows Parkinson's disease (PD), contact our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) or Helpline@Parkinson.org.

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But ultimately, I wanted to check with a neurologist to find out for sure. The Parkinson’s Foundation helped me find one. I went to Yale's Movement Disorder Clinic and underwent a complete physical history and exam, along with the FDA approved DaTscan. 

And then ... “Your kidding!” She wasn’t kidding. 

I was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Although I was deeply concerned, it didn’t really bother me that much. I exhibited most of the symptoms but in a relatively mild way. I told my doctor that it was more of an annoyance than anything else. We talked about what the new regimen of my life looked like though. I knew I could handle this!   

What exactly is Parkinson’s disease? 

I’ll leave it to the Parkinson’s Foundation. “Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately the dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms generally develop slowly over years. People with PD may experience tremor, slowness of movement (called bradykinesia), stiffness (rigidity) and gait and balance problems.” 

Remedies? 

Remedies for these symptoms should only be treated by a qualified movement disorders professional. Not all people experience the same symptoms. They are different for different people. Some of these symptoms are very difficult to detect; others are easily apparent.  

Hmmm. This sounds like a really complicated disease! Yes, it is! And it’s not to be taken lightly! 

Fortunately, my symptoms currently allow me to play my new favorite sport: Pickleball! The Parkinson’s Foundation has sanctioned exercise (like Pickleball) for those who can play, as an excellent exercise and movement activity that can help slow slowed decline in quality of life in PD. Moving and exercising are some of the best ways of slowing down the progress of the disease. (So, get moving!) 

Learn more about Parkinson’s disease and exercise. Find an exercise class near you.