My Grateful and Blessed Life With Parkinson’s

My Parkinson’s Journey

A Grateful Life with Parkinson’s Disease – Beyond The Shakes is about my life after a Parkinson’s Diagnosis.

I’m 60 years old and was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease at age 47.

I live a happy and fulfilling life because I made the decision that I would be in control of Parkinson’s Disease and not let it control me.

While we all struggle with the daily symptoms both symptomatic and asymptomatic, I decided to use Exercise, Diet & Nutrition, a Positive Attitude, and Community to live an exceptional life

I exercise daily participating in group sessions like PIYO Yoga, BARRE, and Spinning classes.

I am also actively involved in a specialized Momentum program designed for Parkinson’s Disease and other neurologic issues at the York Jewish Community Center.

These classes challenge you to push yourself beyond the limits of what you thought you could achieve.

The classes focus on strength, balance and flexibility, cognition, and aerobic exercise.

They have greatly improved my balance and movement.  However, the biggest benefit is the friends that I have made and the sense of community because you are working with others who are struggling with the same issues.

My Life with Parkinson’s – Hobbies

I use my hobbies to help maintain some of my fine motor skills.

Life With Parkinson’s – Fly Fishing

I am an avid fly tier and fly fisherman (on my good days). I currently have 7 fly boxes full of dry flies, nymphs, wet flies, mergers, and streamers that I have tied.

I enjoy tying flies for my brother and other friends who are interested in learning to fly fish.

I fish the streams of central Pennsylvania including the Yellow Breeches, Lycoming, Loyalsock, Penns Creek, and Codurus.

I do a yearly trip to the Delaware River with my brother and a friend. We fish both the East & West Branch of the Delaware River as well as some of the fabled streams where US Flyfishing began, the Beaverkill, Willowmec, and the Neversink.

I fulfilled my lifelong dream in July of 2023 of fly fishing the world-famous trout waters of Montana. I fished the

• Gallatin River in Bozeman
• Madison River in Ennis
• DePuy (Armstrong Spring Creek) in Livingston
• Missouri River in Craig

I was proud of myself because I was able to catch these elusive wild trout and I accomplished it using flies that I had tied myself. It gave me a sense of satisfaction knowing I could catch a trout on a fly that I had tied.

Never Give up on your dreams. Life is too short so take advantage of the opportunity to do things on your bucket list.

Life WIth Parkinson’s – Guitar

At the age of 54, I decided to learn guitar. It’s been a great journey.

Learning to play guitar taught me the 3 P’s of learning any new skill

• Patience– You’re going to have ups and downs ninth learning process. Relax and take your time and eventually, you will become proficient. Frustration and anger lead to mistakes.
• Persistence = there will be days when you want to walk away. Use this time to clear your head, take a break and then go back and try again.
• Perseverance – Stay with your hobby and with practice, you will achieve your goal. Just don’t quit!

Studies show that learning to play an instrument can help your motor skills and cognition.

While it’s been a challenge, I enjoy learning and playing songs on both my Martin Acoustic guitars and Gibson/Epiphone/SG and Fender/Squier Stratocaster guitars (although I can’t say my family and friends enjoy listening to me).

I also do a lot of online learning classes on Udemy to keep my mind active and challenged.

Life with Parkinson’s – My Family

I’m married to my wife Mary (36 years) and have two children; Emily 34, who lives in Poland and is moving to Philadelphia, and Derek 30, who is married to my daughter-in-law Molly and resides in Charleston, SC.

I have two rescue Boxer dogs; Duke and Katie.  I reside in York, PA.

Tell me about yourself after reading this.  Leave a comment on the contact page at liveparkinson’s.com, Parkinson’s Disease – Beyond The Shakes.

Parkinson’s Disease – Beyond The Shakes: Resources I Use and Support: