Parkinson’s Warriors
Stephanie Deery: Illinois. Diagnosed in 2012 at age 43.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 43. I was (and still am) working full time. Prior to my diagnosis, I had not been leading a healthy lifestyle. I ate whatever I wanted and did very little exercise. My unhealthy lifestyle in addition to Parkinson’s symptoms caused me to gain a lot of weight. After being diagnosed, I took charge of my health. I started eating healthy and exercising regularly.
Six years after my diagnosis, I trained and competed in a physique show. I have also been skydiving. My new motto is “live your life!”
I have told people that being diagnosed with Parkinson’s one of the best things that could’ve ever happened to me. It made me healthier person.
Don’t get me wrong, some days it gets the best of me, but I’m doing everything I can to not let it! Below is my before picture (that’s me and the yellow) and a picture I took the week before my physique show.
To be honest, I can’t leg press that much weight, anymore but I still meet with a strength trainer three times a week. I tell anyone who will listen that exercise is the best tool we have to fight this!
Thank you for creating a positive platform so that others can see being diagnosed is not a “death sentence.”
Cristina Burbach: Virginia, Diagnosed in 2023 at age 48.
The photo below is from the 2024 One City Half Marathon, where I ran 1:34:05. I was diagnosed in January 2023 at age 48 after a hard two years trying to figure out why I had forgotten how to run. With the help of medications, physical therapy, and a lot of hard work, I’m learning how to run fast again. My best race times post-Parkinsons DX are 21:45 for 5K, 1:10:19 for 10 miles, 1:33:20 for the half-marathon, and 3:20:29 for the marathon.
Elaine Strong: Maryland, Diagnosed in 2015 at age 55
One year after Parkinson’s diagnosis I was faced with the situation to take full custody of my granddaughter and raise her as my own. She was raised in the gym along side of me boxing and exercising on a regular basis. Nine years post diagnosis and I’m still going strong. My PD is still relatively mild. My Lucy keeps me so active I forget I’m 63 with PD sometimes. Regular exercise and life with a little one 24/7 is my secret weapon!
Ed FitzGerald: London, UK, Diagnosed in 2024 at age 49
My husband, Ed, was diagnosed with YOPD at the beginning of this year aged 49. It was a massive shock to us, but we are adjusting, and it’s made us see life through a different lens; we’re trying to take each day at a time and live life to the full. He has always exercised a lot, (mostly hiking, running and cycling) but has stepped up the exercise to include swimming, boxing, tennis and he also completed an ultramarathon in June which was incredible! He signed up for the London marathon next year which he is running to raise money for the charity Cure Parkinson’s. He is totally inspiration, and we are both determined not to be beaten by this. Our mantra is that you can’t control what life throws at you, but you can only control how you react to it.
Shan Staka: California, Diagnosed in 2020 at age 55.
I exercise about 3 to 5 times per week. I used to play soccer and loved to run on regular basis. Exercise is the best to slow down PD. This is a hiking photo at the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago.
Brian Eastman: California, age 67
I fast walk every day and I am still working at 67. In the 90’s I ran marathons and continued to exercise daily after having an injury due to wear and tear on the knees. I believe exercise is a good way to fight PD! It’s always there but I try to manage the inevitable.
Heidi Porter, Florida, Diagnosed in 2021 at age 63.
Training 4 days a week. Never weight trained before diagnosed in 2021. Fully believe this keeps my PD from getting worse!
I have parkinsons but parkinsons doesn’t have me! I had DBS surgery back in April and it was life changing! We need to stick together and fight this disease!
Paul van Wijnen, Netherlands, Diagnosed in 2014 at age 34.
Paul has been fighting for 10 year and doesn’t let PD slow him down.
Keri Shaw: Diagnosed in 2021
Keri was a competitive marathon runner prior to her diagnosis, she now participates in 29029 Everesting, which is an event where athletes climb Whistler and take the gondola down several times over the course of 36 hours, until they have climbed 29029 feet. (see link)
Stuart Davy: Diagnosed 2018 at age 47.
Stuart has run several half marathons and competed in sailboat racing since his diagnosis.
Danielle Dinger: Diagnosed in 2020 at age 47.
Since diagnosis Danielle has run dozens of half marathons, four ultramarathons and crossed the Grand Canyon.
I would like to include some stories of people who may not have been athletic at all prior to their diagnosis, but have now started exercising more. Even if your biggest accomplishment to date is riding a stationary bike for 20 minutes straight, we want to celebrate that too!
Jim Schroeder: Illinois, Diagnosed in 2023 at age 53
Motivated to get going and get to work at Rock Steady Boxing.
