I decided it was time for a new challenge, so this coming January, I will be participating in the Dopey Challenge during Walt Disney World marathon weekend. The challenge involves completing all 4 events of the marathon weekend (5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon, and full marathon). This is something I've been thinking about for a while to prove to myself and to others that even when the world is hard and even as we get older, we can find new ways to challenge ourselves and find find joy in those challenges. As I am doing something big for myself I want to make a big difference for others, so this year, I am running to support the American Parkinson's Disease Association. APDA is national grassroots network focused on providing patient services and educational programs, supporting research to learn more about and work for a cure for Parkinson's, and elevating public awareness of the disease. Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurogenic disease in the world. It is a neurologic movement disorder that impacts the brain causing symptoms including tremors (the most recognizable symptom), stiffness, slowness of movement, but it can also cause other symptoms including depression and cognitive challenges. During my time working in a rehab center I saw many patients with Parkinson's raging from relatively young, middle aged patients to the elderly. APDA has a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator. Please consider supporting the APDA and my Dopey Challenge with a donation to my fundraiser. Thank you