September 26, 2006 Toni was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 46. Many tears were shed as her brother Michael had just stopped over before she came home with the news. Empty nesters no more, Now we had an unwanted guest. Changes started immediately to make the house user friendly. There was complete denial while we looked for avenues to fight this. Fortunately we were already on the Michigan Parkinson Foundation mailing list for a prior donation. She knew exercise is the best at slowing progression so that became the norm on top of trying to run her own business. First attempt to attend a support group meeting ended in utter failure. “I am 46 and will never get that bad. I am going to look for research programs to help end this.” Eventually as the disease progressed it affected her work and the support group meetings started to look better. At the same time participating in every study she would qualify for to help the others who need it more.
2012 came and the decision to have DBS was made. But only after her daughter Paige’s wedding. Her condition improved dramatically with the surgery. She was able to drive again. Fatigue was still a factor which eventually led her to selling her Human Resource Business.
Toni leaned heavily on her faith to guide her through this journey. Working on fundraising attending symposiums and meetings put on by Michigan Parkinson Foundation was a priority. On top of exercising several times a week at the MAC with her Parkinson’s family.
Then the biggest inspiration started coming. Grandkids. She was having a bad Parkinsons day when the oldest Felix would not come to her. Thus, Toni’s book, My Nunna Has Parkinson’s, explaining the disease to young children.
Covid brought changes. MPF started offering exercise classes in which Toni participated in everyday until she could get back to her family at the MAC. Then continued with the online classes the other days. The online educational meetings were also very beneficial to her continuing education.
Exercise, Deep Brain Stimulation all helped her to lead a full life. Then the Parkinson’s started to take the voice. Finding Speak Out Speech Therapy from Parkinson Voice Project changed her life as your voice came back confidence in ability to communicate again. You quickly became an advocate. You spoke to several other support groups in Michigan. Medical students and therapist at Michigan State, Central Michigan, Purdue, Andrews, and Grand Valley State Universities.
Toni’s tenacity, desire to help others, independence, kindness, and ability to communicate openly was inspiring, to everyone who knew her.
The greatest gift Toni gave was donating her Brain to the University of Michigan Brain Bank to help further the progress of controlling or one day stopping the progress of Parkinson’s Disease.
February 5, 2025, after 18 years, 132 days after being diagnosed Toni passed as a result of an accident. She hated the disease. Did not let it dictate how she lived life.
What best defines her and her legacy, is all the love, joy and hope she brought into this world. Thank you, our Toni, for sharing your time on earth with all of us.