Real Stories. Real Strength. Life With Parkinson’s.
We know that some of the most powerful insights about PD come from the people affected by it. Their perspectives can be incredibly valuable to those on a similar path and others who want to learn more about PD.
With this knowledge, we were inspired to create Parkinson’s Perspectives, a new blog series dedicated to sharing the real stories and lived experiences of people impacted by PD. We’d love to introduce you to a few of them:
JEROME CHAMBERS has been living with PD symptoms for nearly a decade and was officially diagnosed in his early 40s.
Jerome shares what life was like prior to the PD diagnosis. “I was working two jobs. I’ve always been high-energy and active,” Jerome shares.
“Life was busy and full. My family had always looked at me like I was Superman.” –Jerome Chambers
“When a doctor first told me it was Parkinson’s, I got angry,” he explains. “Accepting the diagnosis was hard.”
Over time, that initial shock and frustration gave way to a determination to understand what the diagnosis meant for his future. “Accepting the diagnosis didn’t mean giving up. It meant facing it head-on and figuring out how to keep moving forward.”
According to Jerome, his recent DBS surgery was life-changing, giving him back a sense of confidence and freedom. And he now lives by a new rule: “when you’re feeling down, you get 24 hours to cry, pout, and kick your feet. After that, you get up and do something. That mindset changed everything for me. It shifted me from feeling like a victim of the disease to someone determined to live fully despite it.”
DIANA WHITED has been living with PD symptoms for over a decade and was officially diagnosed in her mid 60s. As a mother of two and grandmother of five, she’s committed to staying active and engaged.
“I am intentional about staying active and try to plan a mix of activities each week, including physical activities such as cardio, strength, balance, and gait exercises, as well as cognitive exercises and social connection,” Diana shares.
Staying active isn’t always easy, but Diana finds ways to modify her plans so she can keep doing what she loves. “It’s about striking a balance between what I want to do and what my body will allow me to do,” she says.
To learn more about Jerome, Diana, and other inspiring people with PD, visit apdaparkinson.org/Blog and look for the Parkinson’s Perspectives blog posts.