PARKINSONZ ACEs
Adapt, Conquer, Empower Others
Meet Jemps
Manila, Philippines
Diagnosed in June 2023
In June 2023, at 46 years old, Jemps Gallegos Yuvienco was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD). Although she had prepared herself for the possibility through extensive research, hearing the confirmation was still a shock. “We fear what we don’t know,” she shares. “But the more I learned, the less helpless I felt.”
Living in Metro Manila, Philippines, Jemps finds both blessings and challenges in her culture. The close-knit family bonds typical of Filipino life provide an invaluable support system, while the bayanihan spirit fosters a sense of community. Yet, low awareness of Parkinson’s in the Philippines often leads to stigma and misunderstanding. Determined to be part of the change, Jemps has embraced her diagnosis as a call to action, channeling her energy into spreading awareness and pushing past limitations.
A Life of Movement: Finding Strength in Action
For Jemps, movement is both a necessity and a passion. A martial artist since her youth, she returned to taekwondo after two decades and earned her brown belt in April 2023. That same month, she competed in her first jiujitsu tournament, securing a silver medal against a younger opponent. Her physical achievements didn’t stop there—she ran a 10K race in September 2023 and a 16K in November, all while training in dance and yoga.
Jemps trains alongside her children, using exercise as a way to bond and as a personal commitment to staying strong. “I want to be a role model for resilience and strength,” she says. “Movement is medicine, and it’s my way of taking control of what I can.”
Overcoming Challenges: Faith, Family, and Resilience
Jemps’s journey hasn’t been without hardships. One of her most difficult challenges was coping with her husband’s lack of support following her diagnosis. “I married him knowing his struggles with chronic kidney disease,” she reflects. “But when it was my turn to need support, I didn’t feel the love or empathy I hoped for.”
Through unceasing prayer, writing, and staying physically active, Jemps found her strength. Her Catholic faith and her community of family and friends have also been pillars of support. Her children, in particular, keep her motivated. “They remind me to move with intention and intensity—to focus on what truly matters.”
A New Purpose: Advocating for Awareness and Empowerment
Jemps’s diagnosis has shifted her perspective on life. “We all know nothing is permanent, but Parkinson’s makes that truth hit home,” she explains. Now, she’s determined to use her experiences to inspire others. Frustrated by the lack of local resources on Parkinson’s, she’s creating content to spread awareness and highlight the importance of managing the disease with a proactive mindset.
Her advice to others newly diagnosed? “It’s not the end of the world. Learn about Parkinson’s, advocate for yourself, and stay connected with others who understand. Movement is medicine—embrace it with purpose.”
Looking ahead, Jemps is pursuing her high brown belt in taekwondo, continuing her jiujitsu training, and diving into creative projects like writing two books. Her goals reflect her belief in pushing boundaries and living fully despite challenges.
Finding Strength in Connection
Jemps’s journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of movement. By embracing her diagnosis with courage and purpose, she’s paving the way for greater understanding and support for Parkinson’s in her community. Through her advocacy, martial arts, and unwavering determination, she shows that Parkinson’s doesn’t define her—it motivates her.
As Jemps says, “There are still many things you can do. Parkinson’s doesn’t take away your ability to inspire, connect, and live with intention.”
The Questions
Is there anything about your culture that you find makes it easier or more difficult for someone with Parkinson's?
Philippine culture has both blessings and challenges for someone with Parkinson’s. Our typically strong family bonds and bayanihan spirit ensure a built-in support system. Families rally together, and respect for elders often means more care and patience. Faith and spirituality deeply ingrained in most Filipinos provide emotional strength. Caregiving is also more affordable, a bonus for many households.
However, awareness of Parkinson’s remains low, leading to stigma or misunderstanding. Healthcare access is limited especially in rural areas and treatment costs can strain finances. Public spaces and transportation aren’t always disability-friendly, and the tropical heat can worsen discomfort. The typical Filipino diet is meat-centric and does not always suit the needs of someone managing a chronic condition. A plant-based diet is the only one shown to prevent or reverse several lifestyle diseases.
What was your initial reaction to your diagnosis?
When I was told, “You have Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD),” hearing it from my doctor still stunned me, even if my googling had led me to prepare for it (more about it in my first article on a series I have been writing on my PD journey below).
What helped set you on a positive trajectory?
Education. The more I learned about it, the less helpless and more hopeful I became. We fear what we do not know. Knowledge is indeed power, so I clung to stories of people like Jimmy Choi, Sara Whittingham and others’ stories of overcoming that inspire me in FB groups like Parkinson’s Fight Club and StrongHER. I know symptoms vary for all of us but just seeing how others ahead of me manage motivates me that there are still some things within my control. Also, constant prayer.
How has your diagnosis changed how you perceive your future?
I realize more than ever how fleeting everything is. I mean, of course, we all go through life knowing nothing is permanent, but we are only ever shaken by reminders like friends suddenly dying. Life keeps us so stupidly busy over things, several of which aren’t all that important.
So after learning more about my condition, I decided to do all I could to slow the progression so I could be more present for my kids. I can’t dwell on things that I can’t control because it’s not helpful so I try to focus on the good. I never had a bucket list but now I consider things with a “why not?” attitude, so I am taking taekwondo, jiujitsu and dance concurrently.
Bothered by the lack of local content on PD, I want to help change that by creating more material to spread awareness on managing it instead of just giving in to despair.
What advice would you give someone new to PD?
Being diagnosed with PD is not the end of the world. There are still many things you can do. Learn more about PD and don’t ignore it to better advocate for yourself and your needs in the long run. Movement is medicine, so enjoy your exercise with purpose. Proactively be more social even if you generally aren’t; you’ll be each other’s support system.
What are you most grateful for regarding your Parkinson's diagnosis?
It’s helped me move with more intention and intensity. I’m told that being open about and posting about it inspires others with or without PD to move more and become more aware of PD. I’m usually pessimistic but can’t afford to have that as my default mode now to sustain connections with people who matter to me like my children, parents, siblings and friends.
What are some goals you have set and which have you accomplished?
I returned to taekwondo after 20 years and earned my brown belt in April 2023. Later that month, I competed in my first jiujitsu tournament against a younger opponent from Guam and won a silver medal. In September 2023, I earned my jiujitsu blue belt and ran in a 10K race. By November 2023, I ran a 16K 16 years after my last 16K race. Learn new songs to play on the piano for the ladies at our Catholic charismatic community every month.
What’s next?
In taekwondo, I’m going for my high brown belt in March then work on my black belt. No grand plans for jiujitsu but I intend to continue training intensely along with yoga, weights and running. Maybe participate in a dance recital (haha). Finish writing two books. Try to be more financially independent.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
My relationships with my children, family and friends remain authentic and strong. I can still do what I need to do like drive, what I love like martial arts, and try new things like hip-hop.
Tell us about your medication journey. What has worked for you and what hasn’t?
Initially, I started taking Lavida (carbidopa/ levodopa) on a 1/1/0.5 dosage and 0.5 Azilect (Rasagiline). Then, the Azilect became 1 tab/day to this day. When my neurologist heard that I seemed to be fine even when I skipped a dose of Lavida, she lowered my Lavida dosage to 1/0.5/0.5. I notice that when I don’t exercise as intensely my foot-dragging and pangangalay (no direct English translation; it’s not muscle fatigue or pins and needles or pain but a nagging lingering feeling that’s like weakness but not quite it’s annoying) worsens on my hands and legs/feet. I also need to stretch constantly, so I look fidgety and disruptive. Emotional stress also seems to affect my medication/symptoms greatly.
What keeps you motivated to keep exercising every day?
My kids. We do jiujitsu together thrice a week. I’m also determined to live up to being a good role model of resilience and strength for them, to have a no-excuses mindset, and do the right thing even when it’s hard. So that I can continue to do what I enjoy doing and have a body that feels free to move and do what it needs to do.
What has been the most difficult thing you have had to overcome since your diagnosis and how did you do it?
Dealing with my husband’s betrayal. I married him even when he had chronic kidney disease, which is how I got into veganism to help reverse his condition. But when it came to me revealing my Parkinson’s diagnosis, he told me to manage it myself. I was able to get him to watch “Love and Other Drugs” and “Still” with me, even attending a local Parkinson’s seminar so he could learn more about my condition but I didn’t feel the love, support, care and empathy I needed. Writing has always been cathartic for me, and so has staying physically and mentally active. Unceasing prayer also helps.
