I was diagnosed in 2017 with Parkinson’s disease (PD) after relocating to Gilbert, AZ with my family from South Brunswick, NJ. I suspect that balance issues I have had for a longer period was actually attributed to PD.  My challenges with PD have been primarily with balance and walking, low blood pressure and leg pain. 

For approximately a five-year period I relied on Rock Steady Boxing classes to provide the exercise my body needed to offset my physical challenges.

During the past four years I have served as a member of the Parkinson's Foundation Southwest Chapter board. This provided me with the opportunity to contribute time following my retirement in 2019 from JPMorgan Chase to help with fundraising, community outreach and board development activities. 

My role includes participation at Moving Day and webinar events. I also tap into the very comprehensive Parkinson's Foundation library to further educate me on various PD related topics.

I leverage the love and support of my family to stay positive and strong, as I continue to face my PD challenges. Continuing with a regular exercise routine should always be part of my health maintenance program. Also, I have always found keeping a good sense of humor as a strong defense against stress and mental health challenges.

My advice to a PD "newbie" is to utilize the vast amount of information available on Parkinson.org to educate yourself and remain informed on PD overall. 

I would encourage them to be part of a PD community or support group, for there is strength in numbers and value in shared knowledge and experiences.

Join the Parkinson’s Foundation volunteer community to support people with Parkinson’s through local events and educational programs. Find your local Parkinson’s Foundation chapter. 

My Parkinson’s journey began in 2021. Like many people, I didn’t fully understand what the diagnosis would mean for my future. There were moments of fear, uncertainty, and grief as I realized that everyday things I once took for granted might become more difficult. 

Fatigue, stiffness, and slowing down physically were some of the first signs I noticed. But over time, I realized Parkinson’s disease (PD) was going to change parts of my life — not take away who I am.

I am a wife, a mom of five, a grandmother, a friend, and someone who still finds joy in life’s simple moments. Parkinson’s has taught me to slow down, appreciate the little things, and celebrate victories that may seem small to others. Some days are harder than others, but I’ve learned that joy is still a choice.

One of the biggest blessings in my journey has been community. I became involved with Moving Day Sacramento and created a team called Grace & Grit. That name represents exactly how I try to live my life now — rooted in grace and fueled by grit. Walking alongside others who understand Parkinson’s has reminded me that none of us are alone in this fight.

Through PD GENEration, I participated in a PD research study for the first time. The genetic testing process was very easy and straightforward. I provided a sample, and once the results were available, I was contacted by a genetic counselor who took the time to explain everything to me clearly and compassionately.

Through PD GENEration, I learned that my Parkinson’s is genetic, which gave me some answers but also left me with questions. Unfortunately, because both my parents passed away, I do not know whether the gene came from my maternal or paternal side of the family. At this time, no one else in my family has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which makes the diagnosis feel somewhat unexpected for our family.

I shared my results with my family because I want my children to have all the information.

What keeps me hopeful is my family, especially my children and grandchildren. I want them to see that strength does not always look loud or dramatic. 

Sometimes strength simply means showing up, putting one foot in front of the other, and continuing to live life with purpose and hope.

If I could give advice to someone newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it would be this: don’t let the diagnosis define you. Allow yourself time to process it, but don’t lose sight of the person you were before PD. Stay active, stay connected, ask for support when you need it, and keep finding things that bring you joy.

Parkinson’s has changed my life, but it has also shown me the incredible power of resilience, friendship, and community. Every step truly matters.

Learn more about ongoing Parkinson’s research and how to join a study today.

A Walk That Changed Everything

While on vacation in August 2010, my wife Mary and I had just finished a walk when my left hand began shaking. Mary insisted I go to the emergency room (ER), and after an examination, the ER physician attributed it to stress.

Yet back home, the tremor in my left hand persisted. I also began dragging my left leg when I walked, and my left arm didn’t swing when walking. I managed to secure an appointment with a neurologist about two months later. 

After several rounds of tests, he told me, “I think you have Parkinson’s.” He referred me to a Movement Disorders Specialist at the University of Maryland, who confirmed that I had Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) at age 46.

Taking Control: My Four Pillars

After the initial shock, I decided I was going to take control of my Parkinson’s journey. Drawing on my background in science and clinical research, I spent two months reviewing clinical studies on Parkinson’s and exploring the resources available on the Parkinson’s Foundation website.

From that research, I distilled four key pillars I would focus on to live my best life with Parkinson’s:

• Exercise: Daily aerobic activity, strength training, flexibility and stretching, and balance training—all grounded in Parkinson’s Foundation recommendations.
• Nutrition: A consistent, healthy eating plan to support overall well-being.
• Optimism & Mindfulness: Maintaining a positive attitude and practicing mindfulness to navigate daily challenges.
• Social Interaction: Staying connected, joining a Parkinson’s exercise group at my local community center and building new friendships.

Giving Back: Teaching, Research, and Advocacy

Living an exceptional life with Parkinson’s, I felt compelled to help others and share what I had learned. I began presenting to support groups but still felt I could contribute more. 

When I came across the Research Advocate role on the Parkinson’s Foundation website, I knew it was the right fit. I completed the training and became a Parkinson’s Foundation Research Advocate in September 2024.

In 2024, I learned that three of my former neighbors had developed Parkinson’s. For 20 years, I lived in a neighborhood just one-quarter of a mile from a golf course that had been built and opened during that time. Nearby farm fields grew corn and soybeans. Strikingly, four households within a small, concentrated radius—mine included—all had someone develop Parkinson’s.

This felt like far more than coincidence. After researching possible causes, I found that people living near a golf course are twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s as those who do not likely due to the pesticides and herbicides used to control weeds and insects 

I learned that one of those herbicides called paraquat is linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's. Paraquat is banned in more than 70 countries, including the European Union and China, yet it remains in use in the U.S.

This information drew me into public policy advocacy. In February 2026, I joined the Parkinson’s Foundation and other advocacy organizations at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to share our stories and urge them to support a bill to ban paraquat in the state. Most were receptive to our concerns — with one lawmaker agreeing to sign on as a co-sponsor. 

My Parkinson’s journey has taught me to fight back with exercise and social interaction, advocate for others, and a Parkinson’s diagnosis is not an ending but an opportunity to live your best life. 

Learn more about how Policy work can impact the lives of people with Parkinson’s. Visit our Advocacy Center to take action in your state now.

I remember seeing my first tremor in my right hand at the age of 10, and my gait felt different. I always wanted to understand what was happening in my body. 

I was diagnosed in 2002 at the young age of 25. Today I'm 48. I've been battling Parkinson's disease (PD) for 23 years.

I’ve lived with Parkinson for many years, but I never stopped looking for answers.

Ever since being diagnosed I wanted to know more and more information about my Parkinson’s. This is me. I found the Parkinson's Foundation because it has a lot of information, and many resources. From providing solutions to having a lot of information and always being available on Parkinson.org. 

I found out the Foundation was doing a genetics study on TV. So we found PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation online and signed up to participate. When I learned the Foundation was running this study, I knew I wanted to be part of it. I was motivated to participate simply because I wanted to learn more about my Parkinson’s. Participating was a chance to better understand my own story.

My PD GENEration experience was very, very easy. No problems at all. I filled out my name and the form online, and then the Parkinson’s Foundation sent me the at-home test kit a week later.

After receiving my results, I found the genetic counseling session to be very interesting and validating. I always thought the reason I had Parkinson's disease was environmental, because my parents worked as farmers in the 1970s. I always thought we were exposed to chemicals linked to PD. 

The results surprised me. When I learned I carried genetic variants related to PD, I was shocked. I never imagined I was carrying this information with me since childhood. 

Having real answers has changed my perspective about Parkinson’s disease. PD GENEration opened a door to knowledge I never had before.

The surprise was that out of the seven main PD-related genes they tested for, I tested positive for two. So basically, the geneticist explained to me that I carry two Parkinson’s genes, and that left me thinking “Wow!”

It feels good to know new information when it comes to my Parkinson’s. I now have valid documentation that proves that I am genetically linked to Parkinson's.

For anyone living with Parkinson’s, I highly recommend participating in PD GENEration. Why not learn more about yourself? About your Parkinson’s? 

I think this study is especially valuable for the PD community because in our Hispanic culture, Parkinson’s research doesn’t always reach us or reflect us. Too often, a diagnosis is where the PD journey stops for many. A doctor tells you it’s Parkinson’s and we don’t do anything else. 

As Hispanics, we need to take part in studies like this. Our community deserves access to information and opportunities like PD GENEration. Participating in research is raising the Hispanic voice in research.

PD GENEration was a good experience for me. I received good news — the answers to the questions I wanted to know about my Parkinson’s.  

Participating in this study had an impact on my family. I have two daughters, and now I'm thinking about their future. Participating wasn’t just for me; it was for my family. I feel that participating in research like this today opens doors for future generations. 

Research is hope.

Read Ian’s story in Spanish

Testimonials provided by trial participants are personal experiences and do not necessarily represent the views of the trial sponsor. They are not a substitute for medical advice, and the results of the trial may vary based on individual circumstances. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

By joining PD GENEration study, participants can discover new knowledge about their genetics, understand their family’s risks and help benefit generations to come. Learn more and enroll today.

Hi, my name is Marjorie Webb. My Parkinson's story began a few months before the "COVID shut down" in 2020. Toward the end of 2019, I began having several unusual symptoms —I fell several times and just didn't quite feel like myself. 

I went to my primary care doctor who immediately began testing. Some of my tests were delayed due to the challenges of trying to schedule them during a global pandemic. Even our large academic medical center was operating on reduced capacity for non-emergent conditions. Many tests later my diagnosis was neurological, but not certain what it was. My Neurologist worked diligently to try to help me with my early symptoms. 

Fast forward to spring of 2024. Something crazy but very telling happened. My gait started freezing. This would happen at the top of the stairs or when I moved from room to room. I was then sent to a Movement Disorders Specialist at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and received a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) in the summer of 2024. 

I began Sinemet and Entacapone was added later. These medications helped immensely however, I still had a great deal of "off time" — which is when the effects of Parkinson’s medication dosages may not last as long, leading to "off" periods, when symptoms return between doses. During the summer of 2025 I was approved to receive the Vyalev pump from Abbvie. It has been a game changer. 

Additionally, I was very motivated to participate in the PD GENEration genetics study. I wanted to know more about my Parkinson's and perhaps be able to inform my children of any known genetic ties to PD. It was very informative and continues to be. 

After receiving my PD GENEration information, I actively look for research studies. I think that participation in research is essential.

I am back to my old self most days. I now have less "off time" and sleep so much better. I currently participate in any Parkinson's research I am eligible for. I believe that research is what leads to better treatment like the Vyalev, and eventually a cure.

The only way we will find a cure for Parkinson’s is through research. Explore the different opportunities to get involved with Parkinson’s research today.