Ceceilia LaValle’s family and friends knew her as the life of any party — an entrepreneur, a great artist, a wonderful cook, a devoted sister, wife and mother.
“She was an integral figure in our family and had so much enthusiasm for life,” said Neilia LaValle, one of Ceceilia’s younger sisters.
When Cecelia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the early 1990s after noticing rigidity in her left arm, she leaned into her passions and was determined to live life to the fullest as she bravely fought PD.
She had already been diagnosed with PD by the time she met her fourth husband, and ultimate care partner, Jimmie Amox, while they were enrolled as graduate students at Louisiana Tech University. Though she made several careers for herself, art always drew her back in.
“Her art really blossomed during her graduate studies,” said Deanna LaValle High, one of Ceceilia’s younger sisters. “I would say that Cecelia was at the peak of her artistic capability and showing every sign of continuing to grow as an artist, when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's. She continued to make art until the disease finally robbed her of that ability.”
Cecelia’s family rallied around her, researching PD and supporting her as she explored treatment options. Jimmie said she was determined to continue living her life and was invested in finding PD care that allowed her to do so. She consulted with several doctors around the world and tried many treatments to alleviate her symptoms, including the hallucinations.
“I lost my mom long before she passed away, due to the hallucinations,” said Michele Smith, Cecelia’s daughter. “It was difficult for our family to watch her deteriorate.”
Before Cecelia passed away in 2016, Neilia spoke to a friend who had recently started her own non-profit to raise money for breast cancer, which inspired Neilia to do the same and support a cause near to her heart — Parkinson’s disease.
“Seeing what my sister was going through made me want to help find a cure for Parkinson’s,” Neilia said. “I don’t want other people to go through what my family and my sister went through.”
Neilia uses her foundation to support organizations like the Parkinson’s Foundation that are working to find a cure for PD. She’s proud to honor her sister and to continue her fight for a cure.
“It seems like more and more people are directly impacted by Parkinson’s. We need to get more people actively involved in supporting organizations that are looking for a cure, like the Parkinson’s Foundation. There is hope, and that is what we need to use to keep us going.”
- Neilia LaValle
Like Neilia, other members of Cecelia’s family are inspired by the Parkinson’s Foundation and happy to see more resources for people with Parkinson’s, care partners and their families.
“Many of the current treatments and resources available now were not available when Cecelia was diagnosed,” said Jimmie. “Organizations like the Parkinson’s Foundation have changed that. If I could offer advice to those newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or people entering the Parkinson's care partner world, I would say that the first thing you need in your toolbox is love for each other. Grow that love every day. Get to truly know each other and constantly question reactions to new experiences with this disease.”
“If you are new to Parkinson’s, take stock of yourself and your priorities,” said Deanna. “And, if you are inclined to live life fully like Cecelia, do it, do it, do it. As best you can.”
With your support, we can invest in research that will help us find new treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s in years, not decades. To make a donation, visit Parkinson.org/Donate.
