The emotional toll as a caregiver was devastating. I went through a variety of emotions, uncertain of what the future would bring for my mother, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. At the same time, I was unsure of my own future—what life would be like as a caregiver or how I would cope with the potential loss of my best friend and mother.

My mother had Parkinson's for 15 years, but I wasn’t aware until the seventh year, when her symptoms became progressively more difficult for her to hide from the family. I feel she may have tried to conceal her diagnosis because she didn’t want to burden us, which would never have been the case. Or perhaps she simply wasn’t fully aware of or didn’t understand the progression of the disease herself, as even medical professionals seemed unsure of what the future would look like.

Even today, as an advocate for a Parkinson's cure, I find it hard to relive memories of my mother's struggle. The final four years as her caregiver were the toughest for me. Anxiety, sadness, stress, depression, and hopelessness crept into my life, but I tried to hide these feelings from my mother, whom I felt needed only care and support during her struggles. I often say that I wouldn’t be the man I am today without my mother's sacrifices. She was a teacher with a master's degree who gave up her career to raise my brother and me.

I wouldn’t have achieved most of my academic success and professional acknowledgments without my mother cheering me on, from the good times to the tough ones. She was always by my side, encouraging me 24/7. She was and always will be an inspiration. At times, she sacrificed her health but kept her Parkinson's diagnosis from me for several years because she didn’t want to burden the family. Many days, I wish she had shared it earlier, and it makes me wonder if there was something that could have been done to slow the progression of the disease at that time.

Every journey is unique, but every person fighting this disease inspires me to keep pushing for a cure. Advocacy helps me cope, and my mother lives on through everyone I meet. Her legacy, and the lessons I learned from her, continue to inspire me to never forget how important she was—not only to me, but to everyone she touched.

My journey continues today, from being a caregiver to being an advocate. I am still in shock, filled with questions about what happened, why it happened, and if there was anything I could have done differently as Parkinson's progressed so quickly for my mother. We still don’t know why it happened the way it did.

Yet, out of my darkness and loss comes some positives. I've met so many warriors battling Parkinson's disease, heroes I fight alongside across the world to ensure no one is ever alone. I never want anyone else to go through what my family and I did, and I will continue to fight for a cure, now more than ever.