My Parkinson Story is a weekly column featuring member of our community, sharing their stories with PD. We are interested in sharing a wide array of experiences, including yours! PD looks different in everyone, and affects everyone differently, including friends and family of those with PD. If you’d like to share your story on our blog, please email us.
About 10 years ago, after my 65th Birthday, I found out I had Parkinson’s disease. I was devastated as was my husband. We shed some tears and wondered how to tell our kids and grandkids. Once we got over the shock, it wasn’t the end of the world. There are so many things and diseases so much worse.
Almost a year later, one of our daughters found out about the Steady Strides Walk for Parkinson’s. We all signed up and she along with our granddaughter came up for the idea for the shirt and the name. It was a camouflage shirt with hot pink letters, and we became Rhonda’s Recruits. We won an award that year for the shirt and the trophy still is proudly displayed here in our home.
Since that first year we have walked in every Steady Strides walk along with many additions to our team. I have also had to buy more shirts through the years for our growing team. I am so appreciative of all that continue to donate and walk with us.
I am one of the lucky ones because all I have is extreme fatigue and a shaky left hand; I do well with this disease. I do exercise at least four days a week and I think that has helped. I strongly recommend it.