My journey with Parkinson's Disease began with something as simple as a walk.  Out for a stroll in 2017 in our Canton Township subdivision on quiet evening my wife Jeanine noticed something.  My left arm was not swinging when I was walking like my right arm was.   Human bipedal walking is a natural motion wherein each arm swings with the motion of the opposing leg. Swinging arms in an opposing direction.  This was not happening. We decided our first course of action would be to see my Primary Care Physician.  During my visit with her she had me do some different tests with my fingers, hands and leg motions.  She then had me walk the length of the hall while she observed.  At the end of the session she told me "I think you have Parkinson's Disease so I am going to send you to an neurologist who will be able to look further into this".  Later on I learned many people see numerous doctors and it takes months, sometimes even years for a diagnosis.  She had me on the right track after one visit which I will always be grateful.  Before leaving her office she gave me a warning.  Do not go home and search online for Parkinson's Disease until you have spoken to a neurologist.  My need for information exceeded my need to listen to my doctor.  I typed in Parkinson's Disease into a search engine and was rewarded with 266,000,000 results.  I was beginning to think Parkinson's was more than just my arm not swinging and tremors.  I did look at some of the entries but decided to wait until I spoke to a neurologist.  I met with Quest Research staff and decided to take part in the trial study.  That was 6 years ago and I am still going for a monthly infusion.  The director of the study and my movement disorder specialist is Dr. Aaron Ellenbogen, whom I'm sure many of you are familiar with.  He is always willing to come out and talk at various foundation events.  I encourage anyone that has the opportunity to volunteer for clinical studies to do so.  New drugs need human trials in order to be approved.  As I said in my first sentence I look at this as a journey.  There are new symptoms every day and just like a journey you move on to your next experience.
The Michigan Parkinson's Foundation provided us with the opportunity to learn more about the disease and speak to others who have it.  The Foundation sponsors many support groups throughout the state of Michigan.  I highly encourage you to visit one close to your home.  You can find a list of these at their website www.parkinsonsmi.org.  We have a great group for those of you close to the Livonia area.  It meets at the Livonia Senior Center on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm.  Come to one meeting and give it a chance..
Run when you can,
Walk if you have to,
Crawl if you must,
Just never give up.