When I was ten years old, my grandfather and grandmother were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. As time progressed, I watched as this disease took over their lives, minds, and bodies. With this, as I grew older it became increasingly evident to me that this disease was widely underrepresented. As I watched this disorder eventually take my grandfather's life, a life I cared so deeply for, it became evident to me that advocacy was necessary.

When I began Highschool, I learned the importance of movement to slow progressive neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s. Then, as I continued my research, I found that dance not only improves stability and reduces tremors—two of the most common Parkinson’s symptoms—but it stimulates neuroplasticity which forms neural connections and strengthens present ones.

So, a year into my advocacy work I began holding not for profit dance privates for the youth with all proceeds being donated to Parkinson’s, through The Parkinson’s Foundation.