Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease is an unforgettable moment for that individual, but also for their family. A caregiver may also go through various stages of shock, curiosity, fear, and uncertainty about the unknown. The future is truly unknown for themselves and, even more importantly, their loved one, who now faces a new challenge due to PD.  

My mother had PD for 15 years. For the first seven years, she did not share much with us, likely because she felt she didn’t want to burden the family (which would never have been the case), or she may not have understood the disease as we relied on many medical professionals who also did not know what the future would bring. When I became her caregiver for the final 4 years of her life, it was full of many emotions. I cared for my mother, supported her, and tried each day to find some resolution until we hoped a cure would have been found during her lifetime.  

I help her hand through the good, bad, and more challenging times. I felt although I did not have a PD diagnosis, through her, I went through every symptom, but the emotional toll was the toughest. I also felt alone as a caregiver, and she felt alone, never meeting anyone else with PD or realizing what a beautiful support and community we have today throughout the world. No one is alone, and I wish I had known that then. The most challenging part was trying to understand why it progressed so quickly in the last four years, as she was only 69 when she passed. Even today, I still am unsure what happened and why.  

Feelings, grief, and advocating today are part of my life. We must all be a family in this fight for a cure! Some things I wish I had known then were the amazing support, the importance of exercise and diet, and how critical it is to talk and advocate for yourself and others.  Out of the darkness and loss of my best friend and mother comes a light that shines today in her memory through everyone I meet. We keep her memory alive and continue to fight for all those battling PD today and their families. I will fight by your side until the cure is at all our doorsteps. Count on that!