Peaks for Parkinson’s

Please help me support the Parkinson’s Voice Project as I attempt to hike the entire Appalachian Trail this year! I hike for my grandfather, who has been living with Parkinson’s for about 15 years.

 

Not long after his retirement, after a lifetime of hard, manual labor, my grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. One sentiment he has reiterated throughout his fight with this illness has been to “not wait for retirement” to do what you want to do. That taking advantage of being young and physically capable of doing all that you dream of doing is not selfish—it is necessary because nothing is guaranteed.

 

He is the bravest man I know; undergoing not one, but two, operations to have deep brain stimulation chips implanted into both hemispheres of his brain to help alleviate tremors. When traditional biking, a beloved activity of his, became too difficult to do, he got an adult tricycle to maintain his independence. He created a pulley system in his garage and garden to help him get on and off his bike so he can still enjoy his hobbies. When talking became harder, which often happens with Parkinson’s patients, he put his heart and soul into taking back his ability to communicate. The Parkinson’s Voice Project helped my grandfather practice his speech and gave him the tools to communicate clearly, which, for a man who so values his independence, is a priceless gift.

 

If willpower alone could conquer this disease, he would be cured. Every day, that man hikes his own Appalachian Trail—his tenacity, strength and determination have continuously inspired me to push past my own struggles and see how powerful we can all be if we only believed in ourselves. I will be attempting to raise $2,190–the length in miles of the Appalachian Trail itself—in his honor. Please consider supporting me by donating to this amazing organization.

 

More information about Parkinson Voice Project, Inc.: To preserve the voices of individuals with Parkinson's and related neurological disorders through intensive voice treatment, follow-up support, research, education, and community awareness.