My father, Scott Parks, was diagnosed with Alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency in 2011, a rare genetic condition that affects the lungs and makes breathing increasingly difficult. He spent years trying to manage this condition with weekly infusions and daily medications. Despite all this, his lung capacity continued to decline, and tasks that were once simple and brought him great joy, such as telemark skiing and home construction projects, became increasingly difficult and frustrating. In 2022, he and my mom, Nicki, made the difficult decision to move from Steamboat Springs, Colorado to Sequim, Washington, hoping that living at sea level would help him breathe more easily. Even with this move, my dad’s health continued to decline; in August 2025, he was finally placed on the transplant list. On February 27th, our prayers were answered when he received a double lung transplant! The next morning, he took his second first breath and is on the road to recovery so he can do the things he loves again.

The next few months will be a lot of hard work and are as critical to my dad’s recovery as the surgery itself.

Nicki and Scott have been happily married for 32 years, and since then, they have faced everything side by side, this being no different. From the diagnosis 16 years ago to the countless doctors’ visits that have gotten us to this point, she has provided an inconceivable amount of unwavering love and support. Their three children, Nathan, Shannon, and I, have been doing everything we possibly can to support her as the primary caregiver in addition to being there to cheer on our dad as he takes all his firsts in this new set of lungs. As expected, our time in the hospital so far has not been without bumps in the road, but my dad is the strongest person I know, and we are looking forward to the day he gets the all-clear to leave the hospital.

After leaving the hospital, my parents will not be able to return straight home due to needing to stay close to his amazing team of doctors for a multitude of appointments, including check-ins, therapies, and treatments. This will mean at least three months in an apartment in the University District of Seattle. As the primary caregiver, my mom has not been able to work and will continue to be on leave from her position as a personal trainer until they can return to Sequim. The funds raised here will go directly toward covering said housing expenses for the apartment, as well as helping to cover expenses for me and my siblings to travel from Vermont, Colorado, and Utah to support them through this tumultuous time. We have always been a family that leans on each other when such a time calls for it, and being together means everything to us right now.

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of our family’s journey and has offered support over the years. Three days after his massive, successful surgery, I saw a spark of joy return to my dad, even with 6 chest tubes and countless other cords all around him. I could see the excitement for what is next, and we are all grateful for this new opportunity. We can’t wait to see that spark grow as he continues to get stronger every day. Any funds raised during this time will help alleviate stress so we can all focus on his healing. Any support you can offer, even if it is simply sharing our story, means the world to us.

Since waking up from surgery, my dad has been saying, “I am just so grateful for this new lease on life.” We are likewise so grateful for all of you.

-The Parks Family