My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s close to his 80th birthday. It was a shock to my family.

To be honest even prior to his diagnosis, I had a feeling he might have Parkinson’s. He had a lot of shaking in his hands which I found out of the ordinary. He kept saying it was his nerves. I think he was in denial at first because he didn’t know much about the disease and how important it is to catch it in its early stages.

Then my dad went to his primary care physician. As soon as he saw my dad shuffling his feet, he said, “I think your father is suffering from Parkinson’s.”  He sent my father to a neurologist, who confirmed the diagnosis.

Since then, my mother has done an amazing job caring for my father. She was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so being my father’s caregiver takes an added toll on her. She shaves him. She cooks. She tries to walk him around. She holds him up. Mind you, this woman is 92 pounds and 4’8”!

Watching both my parents be so brave has been an inspiration. They will soon be moving in with me, so I can help care for them with the help of my siblings. My sister lives nearby and my brother, who lives in another state, provides his support as much as possible.

I am fortunate to have my parents and I feel lucky that my family is very close. I think it’s important for families to work together in the face of Parkinson’s and create a solid support system.

With Parkinson’s you have to be patient. Stay strong. Be aware. Research. Stay on your toes. Talk to your doctor. And if you feel your doctor isn’t equipped enough, find someone who is.

Before my father found out he had Parkinson’s, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party. My parents love to dance and they were out in full swing!

When they reach their 65th anniversary, we want to throw another big party with lots of dancing. My father loves to dance. Actually, that’s how we get him moving.

My sister and I visit my parents every Sunday. We put on music and we dance. My father also likes to play the bongos. He has been very musical all of his life.

Dancing is how we get him moving. I think that is how you can motivate people to get moving – by doing something they love to do. We love to get my father to dance with my mom. It’s very sweet to see. My goal is to take the best possible care of them so they are dancing when they celebrate their 65 years together.

My name is Brian Lederman and I am a personal trainer in a gated community in Fort Myers, Florida. I recently worked with someone who has Parkinson’s disease (PD) and discovered that he is the true example of a hero who will not led a diagnosis define him.

I had just taught a pilot class called "Punch Fit" at the gated community. It combined boxing, cardio and core emphasis, while improving balance and coordination. After the first class, an attendee named Tim, and his wife, Lynne, approached me. I noticed that Tim was walking leaning to his right, with bad posture and was shaking uncontrollably. He was quiet and somewhat meek. Tim told me he had Parkinson’s and that “The Morning Show” recently aired a segment about a boxing program that showed promise for Parkinson's symptoms. Tim, 69, asked me if I would give him private boxing lessons.

At that moment I knew Tim was special. They say God gives his toughest battles to his strongest warriors and I knew Tim was a warrior. I was confident that he was completely committed. So we began training twice a week.

Initially, I knew nothing about Parkinson's so I took the trainer’s perspective. Since Tim leaned towards his right and had bad posture I started him with a step/drag foot drill, which is the basic way a boxer moves around the ring. We then progressed to basic punches such as a jab, cross, hook and uppercut. From there, we added movement, defense and counter punching. It was a progressive approach that combined many of the neurological aspects affected by Parkinson's. Knowing him and the warrior he is, allowed me to push him to his potential.

Tim worked incredibly hard and was disciplined. I knew he was practicing his boxing in front of a mirror every day because his skill and conditioning increased very quickly. His posture, strength, balance and coordination improved to the point that his friends and family almost didn't recognize this new Tim.

I began asking Tim to demonstrate boxing techniques for the group class, which Tim was still attending in addition to our training. The class responded with a collective "wow!" I posted a video of Tim hitting the punch mitts with me and he became an instant celebrity at the gated community where he lives and I teach. In fact, Tim and his wife had inspired and championed for their community to host another boxing class for people with Parkinson's, stroke survivors and other health conditions. Tim and Lynne began attending this class, too.

I never gave Tim special treatment. He was a great pupil and diligent worker. He trained as hard, or harder than anyone I'd worked with. He never quit, never needed a rest during a session and worked until his technique was correct.

The way his body responded to the intense training and his overall improvement spoke for itself. After around six weeks of boxing sessions his shaking decreased immensely and his posture improved, as did his confidence and daily functions. All of these improvements that were once limitations were noticed by his friends and family who could not believe this was the same Tim.

It was at the great pleasure to work with Tim, but I take minimal credit. Tim has shown me that Parkinson's is a very serious issue for those who are living with it and that it affects their friends and family. With the heart and spirit of a warrior like Tim, it is a battle that he, and anyone who commits to, can win. He is not only an inspiration for those with Parkinson's, he is an inspiration for all.

I want to thank the National Parkinson Foundation for their time and for continuously encouraging Parkinson’s awareness and education.

It was dark. Very dark. And something was moving around the end of my bed making noises, both quick and quiet. It went on for several minutes, escalating in volume and then it headed straight for me. To my surprise, I felt a quick, tender kiss on the forehead and then my ghostly figure vanished. In the first few moments of conscious awareness, I began to remember where I was and why I was here.

It all started a few months back. I was enjoying a lovely rendition of the musical “Cinderella.” Suddenly the house lights came up and I turned toward my date for the evening – my younger daughter, Liz. Before I could begin to gush with accolades on the performance, she smiled and then blindsided me. “Mom, I have decided to give you your Christmas gift now!” “Now?” I asked. It was weeks before Christmas and we were sitting in a crowded theater. Something was awry. Liz was too excited and pleased with the “Gotcha!” moment she knew she was going to have. And then she told me…

She began to describe the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon on January 25, 2015, in Miami, FL. There would be runners from all over the world with different motives for running. Liz had contacted the Parkinson's Foundation Parkinson's Champions program and registered for the half marathon…in my honor. In that moment of high impact, I began to feel hot tears pour down my cheeks. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the unwelcome member of our family we do not like. He diminishes day-to-day events, interrupts vacations, disappoints on holidays and in general, wreaks havoc. Everyone in my family knows only too well that this illness has changed who we are. Life is more difficult for all of us. There have been many tears over the years, but the tears now came not because of the difficulty of the disease, but because I recognized great compassion.

As race day approached, we headed to Miami, FL, where a Parkinson's Foundation office is located. The day before the race, we were invited to tour their office. What we experienced was downright memorable! We met every staff member present that day. They seemed to understand that while we were only one of a million such families in this country, we were also unique in our own story. We were real. Their dedication and enthusiasm assured us that they were not losing sight of the vast importance of their work!

It was race day. I rolled over to look at the clock. It was 4:48 am, which meant my daughter would be heading out for the start line. My start line had been marked as well: my job would be to get myself up, fed, bathed, dressed and down to the finish line – a tall order for someone diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than a decade ago. Respectable amounts of medication would be required to make this happen.

Traveling alone in an unknown city creates quite a few apprehensions for me. This is actually my daily race. It is slow, stiff and aggravating. Regrettably, it comes as no surprise. It is my normal. I managed to get to the Charity Village where the Parkinson's Foundation had a booth. I was only there a few minutes when Runner 17095 took her last steps, reaching the booth after more than 13 miles. She was wearing a shirt that announced “I RUN TO BEAT PARKINSON’S.” There were two short words beneath that header: “FOR MOM.” And suddenly the hot tears began to pour again, but this time it was from both of us.

I have had Parkinson’s for a long time now. It has been a huge adjustment that demands continuous readjustment. It is always difficult. I have been asked on countless occasions where my strength comes from. I may be very strong, but I’m also very afraid. It is indeed HOPE that keeps me going. I believe that the research is productive and our hope is real. The need for funding is urgent. The need for research is urgent. The need for treatment is now.

Become a Parkinson’s Champion at Parkinson.org/Champions

The doctor took a deep breath and said, “Dr. Ruedrich, you have Parkinson’s disease.”  Several heartbeats later I said, “I’m done.”

I said it again. I would never deliver another baby or become an auxiliary member of a family. It would be like telling a pilot, you can’t fly, or a surfer to stay dry. In my profession, my new diagnosis implied liability. A “bad baby” or surgical complication would eventually be attributed to my wobbly hand. I imagined hearing: “why is a doctor with Parkinson’s disease (PD) still working?”

I'm a high-risk obstetrician, so I take on the difficult pregnancies: the triplets or more, hypertension, diabetes, previous pregnancies with poor outcomes, pre-term delivery and stillbirths.

Now, I miss the exhilaration of hearing that first cry. No longer do I get to experience the adrenaline rush of an emergency Cesarean section, “saving” a baby. To be truthful, a part of me felt relief. I hadn’t been operating or delivering babies with confidence. Would I want me operating on me? Perhaps not.

So, do I go sit in the corner and pull my white coat over my head? I can’t take that path. I won’t take that path. I like challenge. Either I have control over my disease or it controls me.

I still see patients in the office and make rounds at the hospital. My wife says, “he doesn’t get to play with anything sharp or pointy.” The dividend is time, easier office days, no night or weekends “on-call.” I’m no longer burning the candle at all three ends and I’m taking better care of myself.

I challenge myself with keeping fit. My PD research yields the sense that doing anything physical is beneficial. Boxing, tango, Tai Chi, balance, core strength. I work out twice a week with a trainer (using a PD-specific regimen, Delay the Disease) and run three times a week. Instead of running from one delivery room to another I now run around my neighborhood. Exercise is empowering!

I also look for opportunities to talk to people about Parkinson’s. When someone looks askance at my “broken wing,” I jump on the chance to educate my listener. It demystifies the elephant in the room and I’m amazed at how often I hear they have a relative or coworker with Parkinson’s.

So, I run, jump, lift weights, plank, stretch, jump rope and climb, and try not to hurt myself, especially by falling. A workout friend admonishes me at the completion of every exercise session… “don’t fall,” he says. And I count my blessings. I understand that each day is an opportunity. My license plate tells the story: LIVTDAY. Worrying about tomorrow serves no purpose. I try to be in the moment.

I have served on the Parkinson’s Foundation Ohio Chapter board for the last three years. Every year I’m proud and excited to participate in Moving Day. Last year, my team “Rider, Ruedrich, Schoon” raised more than $93,000 to fund Parkinson’s research and local programs.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2018. Four years prior to that, I suffered through shoulder and back pain, foot cramps and hand surgery that didn’t heal — all on my left side. I was also suffering from depression, fatigue and an overwhelming sense of apathy. 

During a regular check-up, I mentioned my symptoms to my general practitioner who suggested I see a neurologist. Almost on the spot, she diagnosed me with PD and recommended that I see a movement disorder specialist. On January 29, 2018, my life changed forever as Lee, my husband, and I sat in the doctor’s office where the original diagnosis was confirmed. I was 52. 

Following the diagnosis, I felt paralyzed and sat on the couch numb. Then, I got a call that changed my life ― a recommendation to a PD boxing group. I have never exercised consistently. I never felt the endorphin rush people talk about when working out, but somehow I got myself into the gym and started boxing with LDBF Boxing for Parkinson’s (Pdboxing.org).

LDBF is my new village. I am in the best physical shape of my life. It’s more than boxing. It’s a camaraderie shared between the boxers, trainers and volunteers — all of whom contribute to my emotional healing on a daily basis.

I began to box in April, three months after the diagnosis. I did not go willingly. I hid behind the bags out of breath and demoralized. Then one day, I started to enjoy the workouts and sought out more challenging classes. LDBF’s “Inside the Ring” class taught by trainer Bryan Jensen fit the bill — a perfect mixture of inside the ring drills, sparring and floor work focusing on memory, balance and cardio.

My advice to someone newly diagnosed:

1. Don’t wait. Find a boxing program. 
2. Be your own advocate. Make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor.
3. Find a mentor. I am developing an official young-onset PD mentorship program.
4. Dig deep for the courage to reach out.
5. Recognize there will be good days and bad. 

In addition to boxing, I also participate in the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day Atlanta event held every fall at Piedmont Park, as well as the special event Good Vibrations. Not only are these events fun, but they remind me and so many others that we are not alone.

FIND YOUR NEAREST MOVING DAY

Anne Wray’s persona fits her Rock Steady Boxing name: Wonder Woman.

While she still finds the boxing name funny, the family therapist, happily married wife and mother of two daughters, ages 14 and 7, had her strength tested in an epic way less than three years ago. 

Anne was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) on February 26, 2016. She was 49 and her husband, now retired from the U.S. Army, was deployed when she received the news. “It was rough, and I will always remember that day,” she said. “I went through all the emotions — denial, grief, acceptance, embarrassment, self-pity and many more.”

But the 49-year-old decided to fight. “What has always got me back to me is exercise,” Anne said. “When I am boxing, running or weight training, I feel like my 'old' self again. Not someone 'too young to have Parkinson's', with a shaking hand, unsteady gait and just awkward!”

Anne’s motivation to exercise is also rooted in research. The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project study shows that 2.5 hours of weekly exercise along with medication, can significantly improve quality of life for people living with Parkinson's.

“I want people with Parkinson's to know they can do anything, don't let it limit you,” she said. “At first, I was embarrassed by my symptoms, but now I know they are only a part of who I am.”

In addition to her work outs, Anne has recently signed up as a Parkinson’s Champion, raising money for the Parkinson’s Foundation by training for and running in the TCS New York City Marathon on November 4.

“We run and will continue to run for people with Parkinson's because this disease is a marathon, not a sprint," Anne said. “I hope you will donate to the Foundation and support me in my determination to stay ahead of this disease. I truly appreciate just your time in reading my story and supporting my journey.”

Let her story motivate you!
sign up as a Parkinson’s Champion

At age 30, my life took a dramatic turn. I noticed a tremor in my right hand when my son was 6 weeks old and my daughter was 3. I remember sitting on my hand at my 6-week postpartum appointment to try to stop it from moving.

I was a registered nurse and the tremor began to interfere with my work. I was asking other nurses to start IV’s for me because my hand was too unsteady. My handwriting became illegible. Muscle rigidity made walking more difficult, then I began dragging my right leg.

I was 32, married, with 2- and 5-year-old children when we received the news. The neurologist told me late one day in October that I had young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD). While it hit me like a ton of bricks, I was relieved to finally have a name for what was happening. The diagnosis came with a harsh outlook. My neurologist told me that within 10 years I would be in a wheelchair, unable to care for myself or my children.

I attempted to go about life as usual, but my symptoms only worsened. I was unable to continue working due to muscle rigidity, daily freezing episodes and difficulty with multitasking and executive function. Then I became a single mom. I had a choice: I could allow PD to take control of my life or I could fight back.

I heard about Rock Steady Boxing, an organization dedicated to training people with Parkinson’s symptoms through noncontact boxing. However, I didn't have access to any classes in my area, so I started training with a local trainer. After about 15 minutes into my workout with my new coach, an eight-time world kickboxing champion, my body began to freeze, and I couldn’t move at all. It was that tough. My trainer wholeheartedly believed in me and never allowed me to give up. He’d often stop class to give me a shot of my PD medication to get me moving again. Then I would get back in the ring and finish.

One day he started to get the medicine, and I told him, “No, let’s just push through it.” So, he made a deal with me, saying, “I won’t give you the shot unless you’re on the floor and you can’t move.” He guided me through the hardest workout I ever endured. It was so intense that it forced my body to move past my physical limitations. I made it through without the injection for the first time. I felt better than ever, and that’s when everything began to change. My tremor began to disappear. Gradually, the freezing episodes occurred less and less. My mind and body started connecting again. It was life changing.

Although my life had been completely turned upside down, the diagnosis put me on the path to a healthier, more active lifestyle. I received the gift of a better life since my diagnosis, and this became my “why.” I wanted to give the incredible boxing program back to our community and help others live a better life with Parkinson’s disease, too. 

Four years ago, I met Josh Ripley and we co-founded PD Fighters in Newbury Park, CA. It was an amazing success and we knew we had to do more. People were lining up after every class just to ask questions. Out of a need for not just a class, but something much more, we founded Neuroboxing, a concept incorporating our noncontact boxing fitness with functional training and yoga, Pilates and mindfulness.

In addition to boxing for the last 9 years, I climbed Mt. Etna, an active volcano just under 11,000 feet, in 2014 with a team of 100 people from the U.S., Germany, Spain and Italy to raise awareness for PD/AD. I have been running in the LA Marathon’s 5K for Team Parkinson for the last 3 years. I will be participating in Moving Day North LA for my second year and Moving Day Louisville in my home state of Kentucky in June.

My next challenges: training for a return to Sicily for the “10 Mountains 10 Years” ambassador project, and a Golf Tournament in Simi Valley, CA, to benefit the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day North LA walk and Neuroboxing.

Despite the achievements there will always be adjustments, challenges and bumps in the road. Due to a manufacture change, I’ve been battling unpredictability of new medications. There will always be more mountains to climb, complete with distractions and detours. But when you live with a passionate heart and serious motivation, you just keep fighting, and when you find your passion, you never ever want to do anything else. It’s truly a beautiful gift I have been given, and one I’m grateful to share with our Parkinson’s community.

Find your nearest Moving Day

When I learned that my father had Parkinson disease I felt a range of emotions. It was as though I was helpless, powerless to stop the disease that was affecting someone so close to me. At that point I made a decision to take a stand against the disease and to help fight for the cure. My father, Marty Ardman, has been doing that for years by helping to raise thousands of dollars for the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF).

He volunteers at the Foundation on a weekly basis working closely with NPF Chairman Emeritus, Nathan Slewett. My father has shown me all the amazing work NPF does to help people with Parkinson disease and to help find a cure.

I decided I would do the same and raise money for NPF by running in the Nashville half marathon. I was no longer helpless, no longer powerless. I decided to ask my brother-in-law, Jack Lapidus, and my close friends in Nashville, Jessica Averbuch, Alizah Greenberg, Jessie Rosenblum, and Patti Straus, to join me. After contacting the National Parkinson Foundation, I learned of a wonderful online fundraising tool on the NPF website called “Community Fundraising.”

I was able to create my own custom web page which allowed me to post pictures, tell my story, and track the donations. Initially, I decided to start small and set my goal for $1,000; however, my Nashville girlfriends told me that if you dream big anything is possible. We decided on a team name, “Running Wild,” and a new goal of raising $10,000. We all set off to work, writing a solicitation letter and getting a friend to create a “Running Wild” logo.

We then gathered the names and addresses of anyone the six of us had ever known, spoken to, or had even the most remote connection to. Over 1,000 letters went out asking donors to contribute online by visiting our web page or by sending a check. We were shocked by the generosity of the response from people all over the country, many of whom we hardly knew. Every day my teammates and I anxiously waited for the mail and checked the web page for donations.

We were amazed to find out how many people, including friends and relatives, have been touched in some way by Parkinson disease. I am proud to say that team “Running Wild,” inspired by my amazing dad, Marty Ardman, raised almost $13,000 for the National Parkinson Foundation. He is someone who, no matter what the circumstance, always looks on the bright side and sees the glass as half full.

He is optimistic in every situation and always lives life to the fullest. My dad is a motivated, determined, hard-working individual who tackles any problem that comes his way. He is, and always has been, a family man who puts his family first. He is loved and respected so much by his family, friends, and anyone who ever meets him.

Growing up, I always admired people who cared for and provided for others. It was something taught to me by my grandmother each and every day. As I grew older, this became something that I was very passionate about and has fed my soul to say the least. This passion wasn’t just about volunteer work, but it was about showing individuals in all different communities that I cared and that I was there to help in any way shape or form. I have been lucky to have the opportunities to show this care in many ways. From fundraising for organizations and traveling abroad to work in orphanages with kids with disabilities, to working directly with individuals that just needed a helping hand.

This passion continued in grad school where I became a volunteer and exercise assistant at the Neuro Wellness Center at Fort Hays State University. The Center introduced me to a new community — the Parkinson's community. While working at the Center, I took knowledge from school, as well as my passion for caring, and applied it while working with individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). From checking vitals and leading symptom specific exercises, to just spending quality, one-on-one time with them.

Fast forwarding to the present day and now living in Chicago, I have grown my relationships within the Parkinson's community and those who are a part of it. I currently work as an Exercise Specialist for my own company with a focus on helping people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. While exercise is a big part of our time together, I also spend time with them doing activities they love and that bring them quality of life. I also support my clients, as well as the Parkinson's community, by volunteering for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

My first Moving Day experience was in 2018 when I worked for Movement Revolution which specializes in community-based exercise for individuals with neurological conditions. We participated to provide exercise resources to the community, as well as show support for our clients. The Moving Day 2018 experience was fulfilling but I wanted to help more and make a bigger impact, so I joined the Moving Day committee.

My goal was to help in any way needed so I assisted with making calls to past attendees, fundraising and volunteering at the event itself. Also, during meetings, I shared the opinions of those I know with Parkinson’s so their voices were heard too. Raising funds and being a part of the Moving Day Chicago Committee, brings so much joy to me.

I have recently been more involved with the Parkinson's Foundation and I am currently helping with the Parkinson's Revolution ride. I'll be there as a volunteer, but also riding with my clients!

Now, I do not myself have Parkinson’s, but as a part of the LGBTQ community, I know what it feels like to be lost, overwhelmed, and unsure how to take the next step. Part of that uncertainty is what also drove me to help others. I want individuals of the Parkinson’s and LGBTQ communities to know that there are people out there that care. People out there that will help you with the uncertainties and bring back the quality you deserve in your life.

Get involved with your local Parkinson’s community at Parkinson.org/GetInvolved

My story begins in the fall of 1992, when I joined the rowing team as a freshman at the University of Buffalo, in Buffalo, New York. I immediately fell in love with the sport, particularly the physical and mental challenge, and being on the water. As a rower, I loved the training, the team atmosphere, and the identity it provided me. I rowed all throughout college and continued to row competitively for several years after college. Recently I’ve been rowing at the Masters level, meaning as an adult with a job and other responsibilities.

Things changed in the fall of 2017. I was doing my normal training and getting ready for a big race, the Head of the Charles, which takes place at the end of October in Boston. Something seemed different this fall. My rowing technique, which I spent years working on, felt wrong. I also felt unusually tired and weak. I shrugged it off and thought I was just getting old or needed to change my training. Unfortunately, the feeling of fatigue didn’t improve and actually got worse. Then, in the spring of 2018 I developed a tremor in my left hand and foot, and my left arm would no longer swing when I walked. After seeing several doctors and having several diagnostic tests, I was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease. This was just before my 44th birthday. I didn’t know how to take that diagnosis at first.

One of the first things I thought was that my days as a competitive rower were over. After several months of dwelling on things, I returned to rowing, albeit slower and more awkwardly than I’d like.

During the spring of 2019, I reached out to USRowing, the governing body of rowing, inquiring about being designated as an adaptive or Paralympic rower, thinking it would allow me to compete in local races. I ended up getting invited to the Paralympic training camp in Boston in early June and eventually ended up in a two-person boat that raced at the 2019 World Rowing Championships in Linz, Austria finishing in sixth place.

My main symptoms are a significant tremor in my left hand and left foot, my left arm doesn’t swing while I walk, I have trouble sleeping, and I have anxiety that I never had prior to the onset of the Parkinson’s. To treat the disease, I do a variety of things including taking traditional pharmaceutical drugs, using a hyperbaric chamber, and taking a variety of supplements, as well as other treatments.

Currently, I’m training full-time with the goal to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics in the summer of 2021. I’m currently training approximately 20 hours a week between rowing, weight training, cycling, and yoga.

*Video excerpt from Unfixed docu-series