Since his diagnosis in 1997, Bill uses self-designed exercise programs to manage his PD symptoms and build strength. He even produced exercise videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW5fNun0mUc specifically for other people living with PD, and shares them nationwide. From squeezing a tennis ball to picking up stones – even the smallest of movements help improve coordination. Bill’s motto? “Stick with it! Exercise will make a difference.”

Even when Parkinson’s hit, Cheryl, from Quinton, Virginia, couldn’t just sit. A lifelong athlete, she felt compelled to exercise. From taking fitness classes to challenging herself to improve her already remarkable competition times, she pedals to fight the symptoms of PD. Cheryl encourages others with Parkinson’s to join her in putting PD in their past.

She’s acquired many friends, through both local and online support groups, on her quest to give others hope. Judy also is proud to have participated in numerous walks, including the Parkinson’s Unity Walk, for which her team raised over $17,000 to help find a cure. Reaching out to others, Judy believes, makes a difference — in their life and yours.

Kate’s love for solo accordion performances has earned her 29 trophies, not to mention the opportunity to play in cities such as Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Vancouver, British Columbia. Along the way, she has connected with Charlie Nimovitz, the only other living accordion player with PD. Kate’s life continues to be a medley of adventures.

Kelly’s five-year-old daughter provides avenues to many activities in Kelly’s life. It’s the ability to wrap her arms around her daughter and clasp her hands that gives Kelly the most strength. She accepts PD, but doesn’t let it stop her from moving forward.

Favorite activities such as signing (she holds a degree in deaf education from Texas Tech University), painting and bike riding take longer and require more effort, but doing them makes her feel alive. So much so that she’s on a mission to fight the symptoms of her disease and make the most of the present.

Little by little, the Oben family (who hail from Guayama, Puerto Rico) is building toward opening a fine bakery. That means Marie’s hands are constantly crafting delicious treats. In spite of her PD, she’s savoring each sweet second!

Recently, Paul and his wife, who also practices and teaches yoga, have created a program for others with Parkinson’s to maintain and improve their flexibility, strength and balance. All taught in a fun and accessible way at an affordable fee, they even offer it to caregivers.

Through her own experiences with PD and her employment with APDA’s Des Moines, Iowa chapter, Sam knows first-hand how difficult it can be to stand up, much less move. However, simple actions of the hand such as introducing yourself, returning an e-mail, passing out a helpful brochure or sharing support by picking up the phone, all touch someone in some way. These movements have gone a long way in Sam’s life.

She is with me 24/7. We do lots of volunteer work advocating for PD and educating children. Honey Bear and I work (volunteer) weekly at a school and at the library. At school we listen to children read. Reading to a dog, especially Honey Bear is really cool. The children love it and then actually enjoy reading. To help the cause to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease is a passion. We give speeches, visit with government officials, do interviews on radio and TV all to raise the awareness of PD in the community. I am on the Board of Directors for the Parkinson Association of San Diego. Honey Bear and I have a team for our annual walk. We raised over $75,000 the past five years. We have a rewarding life. Parkinson's disease won’t slow us down.

I made instant friends with people I would have never met had it not been for God and this disease. I soon learned that the cure is not always in medication but more often in a one-on-one relationship with a friend. Did I mention there are now 3700 members in that PD community? In March of the next year, they opened a Moods community in honor of my birthday and I was hooked. I was a lifetime member of Patientslikeme.com and a "fight to the death" advocate for the cure. My journey has led me to conferences coast to coast: PAN forums in Washington D.C. and two Unity Walks in New York City. I also write three blogs:
• http://justmeantiques.blogspot.com
• http://my.stltoday.com/pokietoo
• http://justpokietoo.blogspot.com
My motto is "Together in Strength, Forward in Hope" and with that and God may we beat this dreaded disease. Pokie

Marie always had put all her effort in her work, house chores, and especially her family needs. But after 3 years, things had changed. Marie is more rigid on the right side of her body. So, I had to start taking over some tasks. She keeps trimming her favorite bushes, planting, and doing a lot of arts and crafts such as sewing baby clothes. But, she needs my support in helping her fold the clean clothes, preparing dinner, and providing moral support, which I consider the most difficult part. I understand her ups and downs, her frustrations, and her need for love and affection. As time goes by, my heart is attached to her and we are hand in hand together. My hope is that as a family, we can enjoy a healthy Marie, and be able to live a pleasant life with her. I love and thank her for being brave every day. God will help!

Well my substantia nigra lost its pigmentation And I became a Parky—what a lamentation But I’ll fight it and you’ll never see capitulation. There are medicines of course but the dosage is tricky When you titrate up you have to be picky. If you don’t get enough your feet’ll freeze ya In the middle of the night a cramp’ll seize ya About the time you get enough to please ya That infernal compound gives ya dyskinesia Well our hands are shaky And our speech is slow And we have hallucinations And our feet won’t go But if we laugh at ourselves without much fuss We may have Parkinson’s; It’ll never have us!

It must have been a good year for PD. The news stunned me. How unbelievable, no one I had ever known had this disease. What was it and what was going to happen to me? We left the doctor’s office and I don’t even remember talking all the way home. That night I broke down and cried in my husband`s arms. That was my pity party. Now there are things I thank PD for. The most significant reason is my ability to write. I have found that blogging and journaling are very good for anything that ails you. I have written poems and stories. God has given me the purpose of writing skits and plays for church, which is where I find true enjoyment. It is amazing how many stories you can make humorous from the bible. It has to make you giggle or smile or I haven’t been successful. Life is good. God bless Sass.