Parkinson’s disease (PD) entered my life long before my own diagnosis. Not too many years ago, I walked the caregiving journey alongside my mother as she lived with Parkinson’s and eventually passed away from its complications. Watching someone you love face the progression of this disease is heartbreaking, and it gave me a deep respect for both the strength of people living with Parkinson’s and the quiet resilience of caregivers.

Because of that experience, when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s myself, it felt surreal. Suddenly I was no longer just the caregiver. I was the patient.

Like many people newly diagnosed, I had to face the uncertainty that comes with Parkinson’s. Some days I function very well, but there is always the question in the background: what will the future look like? Learning to live with that uncertainty has been one of the biggest challenges.

Another realization was that Parkinson’s is about far more than tremors or movement. Many symptoms are invisible — fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, sleep disruption, constipation and stress sensitivity. These symptoms can affect daily life in ways that others may not see or fully understand.

What has helped me most is focusing on the things I can control. Staying active, managing stress, prioritizing healthy habits, and leaning on supportive relationships have all played an important role in how I live with Parkinson’s today.

I’m incredibly grateful for a loving and supportive husband and family who walk alongside me on this journey.

One unexpected gift of this diagnosis has been the opportunity to connect with others in the Parkinson’s community. I began sharing my experiences online to bring awareness to both the visible and invisible aspects of Parkinson’s. What I discovered is that many people living with Parkinson’s — and their caregivers — simply want to feel seen, heard and understood.

Those conversations have become deeply meaningful to me. If sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, better informed, or more hopeful, then something good is coming from this difficult diagnosis.

Participating in research has also become important to me. I enrolled in PD GENEration, the Parkinson’s Foundation genetic study. The process was extremely straightforward — easy, painless and honestly very impressive in how they carried out the entire experience.

Participating made me feel seen and valued, and I felt honored to contribute to research that may help others in the future. I was also relieved to learn that I do not carry a known genetic component to pass on to my children.

This was my first time participating in a Parkinson’s research study, but it won’t be my last. I’m very open to participating in future studies whenever possible. I also shared my genetic results with my family.

What keeps me hopeful is the resilience of the Parkinson’s community and the progress being made in research and treatment. Organizations like the Parkinson’s Foundation play an essential role by providing trusted education, resources, and advocacy that empower people living with Parkinson’s and their families.

If I could give advice to someone newly diagnosed, it would be this: take a deep breath. Parkinson’s looks different for everyone, and many people live well for decades. Stay active, build a strong care team, and stay connected to others who understand the journey.

Parkinson’s has changed parts of my life, but it has also deepened my sense of purpose. Today, I try to use my voice to raise awareness, encourage others living with Parkinson’s, and remind people that even in the face of uncertainty, there is still life to be lived, community to be found, and hope to hold onto.

Explore ways to get involved with Parkinson’s research today. Visit our Join A Study page and learn more about PD GENEration, the Parkinson’s Foundation genetics study that offers genetic testing and counseling at no cost to participants.

Bob’s PD Story

After living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) for 14 years, I find the most hope in connecting with people who are newly diagnosed. Which leads me to my own story with Parkinson’s.

Early on after being diagnosed, a series of kidney stones landed me in the hospital. Some of the nursing staff had no clue as to the importance of PD medication and wanted to take my medication away. I used the Parkinson’s Foundation Hospital Safety Guide to get medication management under control and have been connected to the Parkinson’s Foundation ever since.

Coping With Parkinson’s as a Team

When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, my movement disorders specialist (MDS) told me that PD is not like falling off a cliff. ‘You don’t go from no symptoms to a plethora of symptoms overnight,’ he said. After that appointment, I realized that the way doctors deliver news can quickly impact my depression and mood from one day to the next. So began my committed efforts to better my own mental health with mindfulness.

Learning to cope with Parkinson’s is an active endeavor for me and Deb, my amazing wife and care partner. Since day one we have been committed to finding ways to get involved with the PD community. We quickly found Moving Day Chicago, where our team, Martini Shakers, blended humor with PD and allowed us to build a support network I never anticipated.

I was hesitant to share my diagnosis with everyone, but my friends and business associates supported me through Moving Day. We ended up hosting fun martini parties and raising $60,000 through our team, but what was most amazing was how people showed up and continued to spur my fight, after Moving Day.

The Power of Mindset

My mindset, mindfulness and support team, have shaped our experience with Parkinson’s.

I love to talk to people when they are first diagnosed because it’s so important to talk about mindset. Their mindset is going to change how they deal with Parkinson’s. The first opportunity to start healing from PD is at diagnosis. Being involved socially, being in support groups, all of it works hand in hand. I don’t think one works without the other.

When it comes to Parkinson’s, it seems like a lot people with Parkinson’s isolate themselves and that’s something they don’t need to do, especially when the Parkinson’s Foundation is there to support them.  

The Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline (1-800-4PD-INFO) has always been there for me. It can be a support system and helps you find local resources such as exercise classes, support groups and events. They can also help you find a movement disorders specialist, which is essential to everyone with Parkinson’s.

Actively Managing Parkinson’s

My care team is an instrumental part of my support network. I go to Northwestern University Movement Disorders Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, where I feel I have some of the best care available.

I think everyone with PD should see a doctor who knows Parkinson’s. When I talk to people who are new to Parkinson’s, my first question is if they are seeing a neurologist or movement disorders specialist. That can make the difference, as these doctors know the medicine, therapies and what’s happening in PD research.

Over the years, my care team has guided me from medication adjustments to deep brain stimulation (DBS), which I recently underwent. DBS changed my life. The procedure is hard to promote to people, as being conscious for the procedure is tough, but I would do it again.

To keep a positive mindset and keep anxiety at bay, I also exercise and attend PD events. Parkinson’s means you have time to adjust your life as your disease progresses. If I gave in to all the stress that comes along with it, I feel I would progress quicker. I’m able to look at things through mindfulness.

Answering PD Questions & Advice

My questions about living with Parkinson’s have changed over the last 14 years. Those first few years I had a ton of questions, mostly for my neurologist: do I really need these medications? Are there other treatments? Can I work?

But over time, my questions morphed to What exercises help my symptoms? How can I find more people with PD? How can I get involved with the Parkinson’s Foundation?

Today, I barely ask questions about Parkinson’s and focus on staying positive. Deb and I have really worked to adapt to Parkinson’s, together. But that didn’t come without surprises. After years, Deb told me she didn’t know how to talk to me about her fears because it might take away from my positivity. With this disease, people with PD can tend to neglect their caregivers and children, but for me, all my support comes from the people around me so it’s important to have these conversations.

Parkinson’s has made me more adaptable. I used to say that Parkinson’s will not define me, but the joke’s on me. I’ve written a book, given a Ted Talk, volunteered, speak about Parkinson’s and even appear in the Parkinson’s Foundation PSA. I talk about Parkinson’s all the time — it has become my identify, and I’m thankful for that.

Deb’s PD Story

Since the moment of Bob’s diagnosis, we have chosen to remain optimistic and positive. Parkinson's disease is progressive and affects each individual differently. We accepted the diagnosis; we couldn't change that but have always reacted with hope. It is our attitude that we can control.

I am a middle school instructional assistant, and I work with special education students. Every day, these students face challenges and we always try new ways to encourage and support them. This outlook has guided my experience in how I can support my husband, Bob.

Together we brainstorm different strategies to stay successful in everyday life. It's these successes and positive beliefs that give me courage and keep me happy and hopeful.

From the onset of Bob’s Parkinson’s, we got involved. We participated in many Moving Day walks as a team (Martini Shakers) and as volunteers. We hosted our own fundraisers, we attended the World Parkinson Congress, where Bob spoke with Dr. Okun, the Parkinson’s Foundation National Medical Advisor, and we continue to talk with others facing challenges with Parkinson's.

All of this inspires me and keeps me going. I truly believe making the choice to be positive and optimistic has been the key to my husband's success, and mine as a care partner in this journey.

Turning a Diagnosis into a New Purpose

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2019 after my wife noticed a tremor in my left hand. Like many people, I left that initial doctor appointment with more questions than answers. For a period of time, I focused on following medical advice, maintaining my routine and not projecting too far into the future. I believed I was managing Parkinson’s, but in reality, I was largely reacting to it.

Over time, it became clear that a passive approach wasn’t neutral — it had consequences. I noticed gradual changes and realized that waiting for Parkinson’s to dictate next steps limited my options. That marked a shift in how I approached the disease. I decided to take a more active role, both in managing my own health and in contributing to broader efforts aimed at improving outcomes for people with Parkinson’s.

One of my first focus areas was exercise. As I began educating myself, the Parkinson’s Foundation resources on movement were critical. Their recommendation to incorporate four types of exercise — aerobic activity, strength training, balance and agility work, and flexibility — gave me a clear, practical framework. It became the foundation of my exercise plan. I used it to structure my weekly training, build variety into my workouts and ensure I was addressing multiple aspects of movement.

From that base, I began setting goals and layering in events as a way to stay consistent and accountable.

Over the past few years, that approach led me to complete seven triathlons, eleven Spartan obstacle course races and three races up the Empire State Building stairs. These events weren’t about competition. They provided structure, measurable milestones and a reason to remain engaged over the long term. Training for events helped translate an abstract recommendation (exercise is important) into a concrete, sustainable practice.

With each event, I gained confidence — not only in my physical capacity, but in my ability to influence my own trajectory. That confidence began to shape how I approached other aspects of living with Parkinson’s.

I took a broader focus on wellness. Again, Parkinson’s Foundation information played an important role, particularly around nutrition, sleep, stress management and overall lifestyle balance. None of these elements are cures, but together they help tilt the playing field in my favor. I became more intentional about what I eat, how I recover, how I manage stress and how consistently I support my body and brain. The goal wasn’t perfection; it was building habits that support resilience over time.

Advocacy followed. I became involved in efforts supporting the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, meeting with the staff of seven U.S. Senators. Three ultimately committed to supporting the legislation. That experience demonstrated how individual stories, shared clearly and persistently, can influence policy. It also reinforced my belief that advocacy isn’t limited to professionals — it’s accessible to anyone willing to engage.

Learn more about Parkinson’s-related Policy and Advocacy

At the same time, I became increasingly involved in Parkinson’s research. What began as curiosity developed into active participation. I enrolled in studies, learned directly from researchers and gained insight into how essential patient involvement is to scientific progress. Research provided clarity and purpose, and it led me to become both a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador and a Research Advocate — roles that enable me to help ensure patient perspectives are reflected in the work shaping future treatments.

Looking back, I realized I hadn’t just been responding to Parkinson’s. I had been building a framework for how to live well with it.

Once that became clear, I felt a responsibility to share what I had learned. It all led me to write a book, Living Parkinson’s, and to create livingparkinsons.com as a place to organize information, resources and lessons learned along the way. My goal was to document practical strategies — grounded in lived experience and supported by science — that together form the core of an actionable plan anyone can adapt. Rather than offering prescriptions or guarantees, the focus is on helping people take ownership of their disease and actively fight back in ways that fit their own circumstances.

This journey I’m on has been about agency. Parkinson’s changes life, but it doesn’t eliminate the ability to influence outcomes. Whether it’s exercise, wellness, education, advocacy or research participation, each step builds momentum.

Parkinson’s has altered my story, but it hasn’t determined its direction. My journey isn’t defined by a diagnosis — it’s defined by how I’ve chosen to respond. If sharing that perspective can help someone else take a more active role in their own journey, then the effort has been well worth it.

Help champion policy changes that make life better for people with Parkinson's. Get involved today. 

Finding My Rhythm

For years, I lived with a secret. When you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), there is this common, almost overwhelming urge to hide it. Whether it’s the fear of not being accepted or the dread of people looking at you with pity, many of us fight to act “normal.” Trying to mask a diagnosis that has become a huge part of your life is exhausting. It’s hard to be your authentic self when you’re hiding.

I was diagnosed at age 51 in February 2021, right in the heart of the pandemic. At the time, I was working full-time as an educator, leading others through the trials of remote and in-person school. The diagnosis felt like a gut punch during an already impossible season. I kept my diagnosis a secret for over a year — I didn’t even tell my family. I had back surgery during the same time to relieve sciatica, which also caused me to have difficulty walking. This made it easier to hide my symptoms as the sciatic pain masked my rigidity.

Coming out of the pandemic and back into reality, the strain of hiding continued. Eventually, I began to let people in and felt a burden lift. I discovered that people are often far more supportive and less judgmental than I thought. Although I don’t tell everyone I meet that I have PD, I’m becoming more open about my journey, hoping that by sharing my story, I can help someone else live their authentic life a little easier.

Adapting and Moving

While Parkinson’s has affected my left side and made handwriting difficult, I haven't let it stop my voice. I’ve discovered that speech-to-text is a game-changer. It’s more efficient than my old way of writing, allowing my thoughts to flow quickly and freely.

I’ve also learned that movement is medicine. My mobility can feel constrained, so working out is a non-negotiable part of my day. If I skip a workout, I feel the difference. The breakthrough for me was finding a specific Parkinson’s exercise group. Not only has it greatly enhanced my physical ability to function, but it has provided me with a network of "warriors" who are on this same path.

The Power of the Tribe

What keeps me happy and hopeful? Connection. Spending time with family and friends is the best way to stay healthy, but connecting with my "PD tribe" is critical. There is a deep, unspoken understanding that exists between us. Attending the 2025 Moving Day Chicago was an uplifting experience — seeing so many people thriving and living well was the best kind of fuel for my spirit.

When I got a call to participate in the new Parkinson's Foundation PSA, I realized this was a chance to connect with even more people in the PD Tribe and help make others feel less alone. 

My Advice: Find Your People

If you are new to this diagnosis, my biggest piece of advice is this: Find your people. Whether it’s an illness or any other life challenge, finding your tribe is essential. The bond you’ll form with those who truly understand your journey will give you a strength you didn't know you had.

Five years into this journey, I’ve learned that staying active — physically, mentally, socially and spiritually — makes all the difference. Don’t hide; reach out. There is so much life to live!

Find your Parkinson’s community when you connect with your nearest Parkinson’s Foundation Chapter. Find your Parkinson’s Foundation Chapter and follow us on social media.

In 2020, during the pandemic, my family and I were spending more time together at home, and one night we watched the movie Awakenings. I was deeply moved by the story, the patients’ struggles and the compassion shown by the doctors. I asked my dad about it, and he explained that the condition shown in the film was Parkinson’s disease (PD).

My dad is a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders, so during that time, as he worked from home, I learned more about this work. I was newly aware of how his patients fought every day against this disease, and how much it affected not only them but their families too. Learning that there was no cure broke my heart, but my dad also told me about the Parkinson’s Foundation and the incredible work they do to bring education, research and hope to those affected by PD. 

I was only 10 years old, but I wanted to help. Since I loved music, I decided to create a Facebook fundraiser and perform piano pieces to inspire donations for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Then I thought, why not invite others to join? Soon, friends, family and even professional artists became part of it. That’s how Parkin-SONG was born. To my surprise, our first event in 2020 even featured Gloria Estefan and was mentioned in the local news! 

In 2025, I brought Parkin-SONG back, bigger and stronger, through my nonprofit NeuroEduCares, a youth-led organization I founded to promote understanding, compassion and education about neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

With an incredible team of young leaders, we organized Parkin-SONG II as both a global virtual concert and a live event at American Heritage School (Palm Beach Campus). The campus came alive with music, karaoke, live performances and even a student dodgeball tournament, creating a day full of unity and purpose. It’s been amazing to see how something that started as one small online idea became a global and school-wide celebration of hope.

I’m proud to support the Parkinson’s Foundation as a Parkinson’s Champion through Parkin-SONG. To me, being a Parkinson’s Champion means taking action to help others. It means using my voice, my music and my efforts to bring comfort, hope and awareness to the Parkinson’s community.

It’s an incredible feeling to know that something that began from the heart can grow and truly make a difference, supporting the Foundation’s mission and giving strength to people with PD and families who face this disease every day.

The Parkinson’s Foundation brings hope where it’s most needed. The Foundation dedicates time, research and resources to improving the lives of people and families affected by this disease. Supporting the Foundation means helping fund education, care programs and research that could one day lead to a cure.

Through my experience as a Parkinson’s Champion, I’ve learned any idea, big or small, can have a large impact. You don’t need to be an adult or an expert to make an impact; you just need passion and a willingness to act. If you truly believe in your cause and put your heart into it, people will join you.

For more information on becoming a Parkinson’s Champion and creating your own fundraiser to support the Parkinson’s Foundation, visit Parkinson.org/DIY.

If I were to summarize living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) today it would read something like the following LinkedIn profile:

Parkinson’s scholar-advocate bridging research, public education, and creative practice — publishing peer-reviewed work, convening expert speakers, presenter at domestic and international conferences, and facilitator of poetry and intentional writing for people living with Parkinson’s.

It took a few years to get to the point where I could write a summary of a productive life living with Parkinson’s. Like most people, I met my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease with disbelief and fear. Disbelief of how this could be happening to me during the height of my career and fear of what the future held.

After my initial diagnosis in 2013, I sought second opinion(s). A primary care physician and a highly esteemed EMG specialist (someone who performs and interprets Electromyography (EMG) tests) assured me I did not have Parkinson’s. The EMG specialist, in particular, went to great lengths to argue that it was common for patients who wore a boot for three months or more after extensive foot surgery (which I had in October 2011) to develop a spasm in their maximus gluteus muscle of the affected leg.

A sports medicine doctor prescribed propranolol which calmed the tremor tremendously. Generally speaking, I lived my life as I always had, busy with my career, friends and traveling with my teenage children. Parkinson’s impacted my life but in a limited fashion.

In 2015, I decided it was time to settle the score and so I made an appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Meeting with the neurologist was another one of those moments where the truth hits one right in the gut and there was no getting around it. Mayo confirmed that I indeed had idiopathic Parkinson’s.

Over time and with extensive research, I felt that idiopathic was not an appropriate descriptor for my brand of Parkinson’s. It did not take a lot of researching to arrive at likely causes of my disease. Varied and occurring over at least three decades, the cause of my Parkinson’s, in my opinion, includes severe head trauma from being accidentally hit in the head at the age of 17 with a golf club as a friend engaged in practice swings, a serious car accident that caused a concussion, one face plant into a concrete patio at a restaurant resulting from a damaged threshold that caught my heel, to nine years exposure to various forms of mold concealed in homes that I had purchased to high levels of chemicals in an apartment I lived in for a short period of time while building a house.

It was not until October 2023 that I met a physician that took the time to understand the mechanics of my illness. Alberto Espay, MD, at the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders, at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. I learned more about my brand of Parkinson’s in one afternoon with Dr. Espay then I had over the 10 preceding years with a variety of neurologists.

Today, I could write a book on the people I have met in my travels, our discussions about many different topics, and their kind and subtle offers of help in many different ways. New York is one of the kindest cities on this planet. There’s always someone ready in a moment’s notice offering to help. Sometimes I ask but typically most beat me to it. Such help as assisting me across the street during times of high traffic or one of my personal favorites, coming to a dead halt at a threshold at either an entrance door or elevator door.

My Parkinson’s seems to have a mind of its own. For example, during the time when I am receiving help (and that is typically when I have forgotten to take my medicine on time or I am in large crowds) I may move with great deal difficulty, unless I’m holding onto the assisting person’s left arm. Just the other day at the mall a woman was helping me over a threshold. She extended her right arm, and I barely moved. I explained to her how I do much better if I am on someone’s left side. As soon as she changed sides, I took off. She laughed and said, you weren’t kidding.

Freezing of gait is the temporary, involuntary inability to move. It can be a common symptom of Parkinson's. Learn more.

I play the piano and write poetry as a means of expressing moving experiences and challenges. I find it’s both a great outlet and refuge (my poems can be found on my website, Poetry for Today). 

As part of that work, the section Living with Parkinson’s is written for the Parkinson’s community, and I add new poems each month. I also find helping others is a valuable way to bring meaning to my life. This in fact explains my role as an advocate.

After 13 years with Parkinson’s disease, I describe myself as deliberate and purpose driven. This year has been especially busy with research and writing, including articles exploring topics such as the role of the synuclein assay. Just as soon as I finish one article, another topic seems to move to the forefront of my mind demanding attention. 

Research and writing are my jam; they feed my soul, and when I find they are of value to others and resonate, I am driven to write more. I spent more than 20 years in market research, including 10 years working collaboratively with pharmaceutical companies and physicians. 

Those years gave me a strong foundation for understanding the mechanics of Parkinson’s as a non-medical professional. I have also had the good fortune to learn from some of the top movement disorder neurologists and scientists in the field, which enables me to write with a level of confidence I would not otherwise have. 

On the one hand, Parkinson’s has reduced opportunities, but on the other hand, it has presented new and perhaps even richer opportunities than I could have ever imagined – such as co-authoring an article with a neurologist in Perth, Australia, and a psychiatrist in Leicester, UK. You will never find a more caring or giving group of people than those living with Parkinson’s.

My Parkinson’s experience led me to participate in the Parkinson’s Foundation PD GENEration genetics study, where I simply provided a sample and waited several months for a result. I was happy to be part of the study. Not only was it my first time participating in a PD research study, but I am now more likely to find and participate in PD studies in the future.

More recently, after completing the required training, I became an Ambassador and Research Advocate for the Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter, a role that feels like a natural fit given my interests, skill set and career experience. I have also been grateful to volunteer at community events, including the Choose to Move event in Fishers, IN, and a Parkinson’s symposium presented in partnership by IU Health and the Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter.

Each day I live with awareness of my disease as it pertains to my body, energy level and mood. Each day I also remind myself that I am not my diagnosis and it does not define me; it is simply something I must work around. Some days that workaround is easier than others. I have found that a simple directive can help me considerably in upping my gait and walking with confidence: stand up straight, shoulders back, chest out. 

Adopting that posture of confidence can move me from a frozen position to walking. Parkinson’s has required adjustments, patience and self-advocacy but it has not diminished my intellect, curiosity, creativity or leadership. If anything, I feel sharper than I have in the last 15 years. Looking ahead, I am also interested in exploring poetry as therapy with the community through online or in-person workshops, because poetry has proven to be a useful tool for managing stress and creating connection.

In summary, continuity of purpose and intentionality as to where I want to place my energy and engage on a daily basis is what motivates me. Adaptation and resolve on those days where I have neither slept the hours I would’ve liked to have nor exercised in the manner to which I am accustomed is critical.

Overall, I do my best to maintain a can-do attitude and perspective and acknowledge that while Parkinson’s does not define me, it drives my commitment to raise awareness and promote collaborative research and personalized medicine for better individualized treatments and eventually cures.

After all, there is not one Parkinson’s, and there is not one cure.

The Parkinson’s Foundation is here to help empower you throughout your Parkinson’s experience. Explore our resources and support and find what works for you.

Dan Rothschild is a Fairport, NY, resident along with being a Parkinson’s Foundation New York Chapter Board member, a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador and a Research Advocate. He has found his passion for ping pong improves his Parkinson’s symptoms and enables him to travel and share his game and PD experiences with amazing and inspiring people. Check out his story “How Parkinson’s and ping pong help me to see the world” below:

Six years ago, when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), I never contemplated that the diagnosis would result in opportunities to see the world. Nevertheless, in one of my life’s great ironies, my diagnosis has resulted in travels to far flung and interesting destinations and encounters with inspiring and wonderful people, all because of the disease and a love for one of America’s least followed sports: ping pong.

Like many Americans I played ping pong as a kid, in the basements of friends’ houses, at camp, and in dorms. Most of my “training” occurred in the 1970s during my sophomore year at the University of Rochester.

Adjacent to the laundry room located in one of the dorms was a single ping pong table. My roommate, Steve, and I, would carry our laundry to the dorm, strip to our skivvies, and play for hours while the machines did their work. The larger the loads the longer we played and, despite both of us being hackers without formal coaching, we developed some pretty good ping pong skills in the process.

Fast forward to 2020 and my PD diagnosis. After absorbing the somewhat earth-shattering news, I asked my doctor how I could best help myself deal with the disease. His answer was exercise. 

So, I set about filling my exercise dance card with activities that I had always enjoyed and was already engaged in such as tennis, paddle tennis, cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing and ping pong. 

Why ping pong?  Ping pong is a "whole-brain activity" that not only engages motor activity (e.g., agility, balance, stamina, hand-eye coordination) but also requires the brain to engage in motor planning, visual attention, visuospatial processing, strategy formation, and executive functioning.

The game also fosters social connections among players. PingPongParkinson® (PPP), founded by Nenad Bach, helps promote ping pong as a PD therapy, and now operates more than 400 chapters in 31 countries.  PPP also holds an annual World Championship, six of which have been held to date. 

Together with my wife, I was fortunate to attend the two most recent World Championships, in Lasko, Slovenia in 2024 and Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy in 2025. The 2025 tournament hosted approximately 1,700 matches between more than 300 players. While play was vigorous and often intense as even players with PD want to win, players socialized and bonded with others from 26 countries, supported and encouraged one another, and were inspired and awed by one another’s abilities, heart and perseverance. Each player gained new partners to support them on their PD journey. 

The magic of the World Championship experience was perhaps best expressed by Steve Welling, a participant in the 2019 and first PPP World Championship held in Westchester County, who wrote: “The ping-pong center was a place where persons with even highly visible symptoms were not judged; where persons with hidden, secret pain were finally understood; where we conversed openly, without shame, about our conditions.  But mostly, where we were free to follow two of the simplest human instincts: to make new friends and play with them.” 

Steve’s sentiments were embodied in each of the World Championships that I attended, and I also experience them weekly at my local PPP chapter sessions. Together with the physical, cognitive and social benefits of the game, they motivate my play and my desire to attend future World Championships, as long as health and resources permit.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my PD journey would include smacking a little white ball all over the world with wonderful and inspiring people!

Dan is a co-founder of the Rochester (Fairport), NY chapter of PingPongParkinson®. For more information visit www.pingpongparkinson.org. Players with PD at all skill levels are welcome. The Parkinson’s Foundation is a past sponsor of PingPongParkinson® through its Community Grants program.

Exercise is essential for people living with Parkinson’s. Find your nearest Parkinson’s Foundation Chapter to explore exercise and wellness PD exercise classes near you.