It was a casual remark made by a good friend over lunch that got me started. After 12 bumpy years of Parkinson’s disease (PD), I completed deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery at Mount Sinai West in New York. I quickly saw improvement in my dyskinesia, dystonia, and cognition. My good friend Gary remarked in amazement at the improvement created by the pulsing electronic device buried in my chest, “It’s like you’re some kind of superhero who gained his powers through DBS!” 

I was inspired. Over the months that followed, I developed a relatable comic book character who is perfectly fictional: the superhero with Parkinson’s disease, NeuroNinja. He gains powers in a freak collision between an MRI machine and a quantum computer. Despite his many new powers, the one foe he cannot overpower is his Parkinson’s! Like many of us, he is “unsteady and yet unshakable” in his commitment to the Parkinson’s community. 

Over time, NeuroNinja learns to use his symptoms to shake up his enemies. Still, he may be defeated by his many symptoms. Thankfully, when NeuroNinja runs into trouble, he can regain his powers by being surrounded by the Parkinson’s community. 

NeuroNinja faces many opponents, including Miss Folding (AKA misfolding proteins), who turns folding paper (origami) into dangerous weapons. He also battles Brain Fog, the brutish Rock Steady boxer. 

In my excitement, I was motivated to create a script for the first issue, the origin story, instructions for visuals, and a clear picture of the finished product. I then recruited a talented comic illustrator to draw keyframes. 

In November, I created a Kickstarter crowdfunding project to raise sufficient backing to fund illustrations, printing, and marketing. I was so gratified to receive the backing of 53 members of the Parkinson’s community. More importantly, more than 1,000 people have visited the site on Kickstarter. I am very grateful to all who backed our project and are helping to bring this comic book to life, particularly our talented illustrator. We are working on creating the finished NeuroNinja Episode #1: The Origin Story. 

This project has kept me alert, engaged, and excited. I think and dream about NeuroNinja. 

I do not sponsor major research like Michael J. Fox or achieve athletic feats like Jimmy Choi. In our own way, we are hoping our NeuroNinja Comics can shed light on and lift the Parkinson’s community. I also hope to partner with a Parkinson’s organization that shares our message and seeks a unique way to raise funds. Parkinson’s advocacy can take many forms, and we each can take a stand and remain “unsteady yet unshakable!” 

Yes, I met my goal on Kickstarter. I am very appreciative to the entire Parkinson’s community.