Two years ago, we had no idea how dramatically our lives would change. I remember Thanksgiving of 2021, noticing that my mom's hand was shaking. I asked, "Is something wrong? Did you hurt it?" She simply replied, "No, I've just worked a lot. My hand must be tired." I didn't think much of it at the time and quickly moved on.
Another year passed, and the next Thanksgiving, I noticed the same thing. This time, I stayed quiet at first, but I kept an eye on her. Over time, I realized her hand was shaking when she held utensils or her phone. It wasn't just tiredness—it was something else. In early 2023, we received the diagnosis: Parkinson's disease. I held onto hope, naively thinking the case would be mild and the medications would make things better. I remember thinking, or perhaps hoping, that this wouldn’t be like Michael J. Fox’s story. He had been diagnosed at such a young age; surely this would be different.
The reality, however, is somewhere in between. My mom was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's, which means she’s younger than most patients, who are typically in their mid-seventies or older. While Michael J. Fox’s case is an extreme one, many of the symptoms he talks about, my mom now experiences as well.
Medication has been a huge help for my mom, along with physical and occupational therapy. While these therapies have been incredibly beneficial, they’ve also been eye-opening, and at times, deeply emotional. It's hard to witness the depth of the motor-function issues she faces daily. Most people who see her in public don’t notice the Parkinson’s symptoms, which is a blessing—and I hope it stays that way for a long time. But internally, the symptoms are ever-present. Not a minute goes by without my mom being acutely aware of her condition.
And the symptoms don’t stay static. In just two years, we’ve had to increase her medication three times and add three additional medications to her regimen. That’s the reality of Parkinson's disease: it's a progressive condition that keeps evolving.
I find hope in the research and scientific advancements surrounding Parkinson's. I’m particularly fascinated by the developments in deep brain stimulation, and I am constantly reading about new ways to slow the progression of the disease. Michael J. Fox has done so much to raise awareness about Parkinson's, and while his journey has been difficult, I am grateful for the work he continues to do in search of a cure.
One statistic that left me speechless is that every six minutes, someone is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. That’s staggering. Even more staggering is that many people can trace their earliest symptoms back 10 to 15 years before their diagnosis. My mom is no exception—we can trace her earliest symptoms to 12 years before she was diagnosed.
There is still so much to learn about Parkinson’s, and while I’m hopeful, I’d be lying if I didn’t also have fears about one day being diagnosed with it myself. Although the exact cause of Parkinson's remains unknown, we know that genetics and environmental toxins play a significant role. My cousin was recently diagnosed in his 30s, about a year after my mom, which may indicate a strong genetic link in our family.
If you feel moved to contribute to my Parkinson’s walk and help fund research or provide support to those living with the disease, it would mean so much to our family. But if donating isn’t possible, I completely understand. Please keep us in your prayers as we navigate this journey. Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
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- Every six minutes someone is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Funds raised enable the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) to continue providing local education, information, and support, as well as critical nationwide virtual programs to keep everyone supported and connected no matter where they live. You will also help fund scientific research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and ultimately a cure.
- The more funds we raise, the more people we can help!
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