Waves Against Parkinson's Disease Phase 1.1
Donation protected
Making Waves Against Parkinson’s Disease: Swimming the English Channel for Parkinson’s Awareness
What does an accomplished open water distance swimmer do when his wife has young-onset Parkinson’s disease? He decides to swim the English Channel for Parkinson’s awareness, and he inspires others to do the same. Please join us in Making Waves Against Parkinson's Disease.
The beginning
I sat alone in an exam room, waiting. I’d waited four months for the appointment with this specialist. In the nearly six years prior:
• I’d waited for results of numerous blood draws and MRIs. No smoking guns.
• I’d waited for my body to respond positively to wearing braces; doing physical therapy; making diet adjustments; and having shots for pain management. It didn’t.
• I’d waited for various doctors, physical therapists and alternative medicine practitioners to find an answer. None did.
I wasn’t better.
I’d gone from walking five miles a day to literally not being able to walk a square block. My husband, Chad, thought swimming would be good for me. He swam competitively in high school and hadn’t been in the pool in more than 20 years. We joined the YMCA. We both started swimming. Weeks later, pain in my shoulder ended my time in the pool, and my husband got recruited to the Y’s U.S. Masters swim team.
The diagnosis
The nurse took my vitals and asked for details about my previous tests, care plans and procedures. The specialist examined me—watched me walk up and down the hall and move my extremities. I said I was anxious about the appointment; she said she couldn’t tell.
After 20 minutes with the neurologist I received the answer to my medical mystery: “It’s highly likely you have young-onset Parkinson’s disease.” Her trained eye detected hallmarks including tremor, muscle rigidity, facial masking, reduced sense of smell, apathy and more.
I was 42. My diagnosis was confirmed two weeks later after I improved on Parkinson’s medication.
Today
I recently marked the six-year anniversary of my diagnosis. Make no mistake, having Parkinson’s affects everything I do and all the people close to me. If there is a silver lining, it’s that I’ve connected with Parkinson’s groups and with them I’ve done things I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I’ve tried my hand at the pottery wheel, gone whitewater rafting and completed two 30-mile Pacific Crest Trail section hikes.
Through the swim team, my husband also gained community. One of the first people he met is Katy. They have since trained for many swim races together, and along the way they've broadened each other's horizons and earned their U.S. Masters Swimming coaching credentials.
My husband is now the head coach of the Bernardo's All Stars U.S. Masters swim team, and a U.S. Masters Swimming three-time open water national champion and All American. Katy is his assistant coach and an accomplished swimmer in her own right.
Making waves against Parkinson’s Disease
What does an accomplished open water distance swimmer do when his wife has Parkinson’s? He decides to swim the English Channel for Parkinson’s awareness, and he inspires others to do the same.
My husband, Chad, and his assistant coach, Katy, are preparing to swim the English Channel for Parkinson’s awareness in August 2021. Spots are secured two years in advance. Their deposits have been paid and they’ve started their training regimen—they’ve been swimming in the Puget Sound since the pandemic closed swimming pools last March, and they rung in the new year with the Bernardo’s All Stars Fifth Annual Hell Week.
Our ask
We’re out to raise $50,000 in two phases. This first phase is focused on supporting training, which includes the 24-mile Tampa Bay Marathon swim. Your contribution will go toward:
• Coaching
• Travel expenses
• Entry fees
• Escort boats and support crews that ensure swimmers’ safety
• Donations to American Parkinson’s Disease Association and Northwest Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (after expenses are covered). Both these organizations provide fabulous programs and support for people with Parkinson's, and their families and friends.
Yep, $50,000 is a big number. We know we’ve got a supportive community and we plan to pull out all the stops. Please join us in Making Waves Against Parkinson’s Disease.
More about us:
My long journey to a Parkinson's diagnosis
Working full-time with young-onset Parkinson's
Bernardo's All Stars Master's Swim Team
Coronavirus forces Tacoma swim team into Puget Sound
Chad's bio
Katy's bio
What does an accomplished open water distance swimmer do when his wife has young-onset Parkinson’s disease? He decides to swim the English Channel for Parkinson’s awareness, and he inspires others to do the same. Please join us in Making Waves Against Parkinson's Disease.
The beginning
I sat alone in an exam room, waiting. I’d waited four months for the appointment with this specialist. In the nearly six years prior:
• I’d waited for results of numerous blood draws and MRIs. No smoking guns.
• I’d waited for my body to respond positively to wearing braces; doing physical therapy; making diet adjustments; and having shots for pain management. It didn’t.
• I’d waited for various doctors, physical therapists and alternative medicine practitioners to find an answer. None did.
I wasn’t better.
I’d gone from walking five miles a day to literally not being able to walk a square block. My husband, Chad, thought swimming would be good for me. He swam competitively in high school and hadn’t been in the pool in more than 20 years. We joined the YMCA. We both started swimming. Weeks later, pain in my shoulder ended my time in the pool, and my husband got recruited to the Y’s U.S. Masters swim team.
The diagnosis
The nurse took my vitals and asked for details about my previous tests, care plans and procedures. The specialist examined me—watched me walk up and down the hall and move my extremities. I said I was anxious about the appointment; she said she couldn’t tell.
After 20 minutes with the neurologist I received the answer to my medical mystery: “It’s highly likely you have young-onset Parkinson’s disease.” Her trained eye detected hallmarks including tremor, muscle rigidity, facial masking, reduced sense of smell, apathy and more.
I was 42. My diagnosis was confirmed two weeks later after I improved on Parkinson’s medication.
Today
I recently marked the six-year anniversary of my diagnosis. Make no mistake, having Parkinson’s affects everything I do and all the people close to me. If there is a silver lining, it’s that I’ve connected with Parkinson’s groups and with them I’ve done things I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I’ve tried my hand at the pottery wheel, gone whitewater rafting and completed two 30-mile Pacific Crest Trail section hikes.
Through the swim team, my husband also gained community. One of the first people he met is Katy. They have since trained for many swim races together, and along the way they've broadened each other's horizons and earned their U.S. Masters Swimming coaching credentials.
My husband is now the head coach of the Bernardo's All Stars U.S. Masters swim team, and a U.S. Masters Swimming three-time open water national champion and All American. Katy is his assistant coach and an accomplished swimmer in her own right.
Making waves against Parkinson’s Disease
What does an accomplished open water distance swimmer do when his wife has Parkinson’s? He decides to swim the English Channel for Parkinson’s awareness, and he inspires others to do the same.
My husband, Chad, and his assistant coach, Katy, are preparing to swim the English Channel for Parkinson’s awareness in August 2021. Spots are secured two years in advance. Their deposits have been paid and they’ve started their training regimen—they’ve been swimming in the Puget Sound since the pandemic closed swimming pools last March, and they rung in the new year with the Bernardo’s All Stars Fifth Annual Hell Week.
Our ask
We’re out to raise $50,000 in two phases. This first phase is focused on supporting training, which includes the 24-mile Tampa Bay Marathon swim. Your contribution will go toward:
• Coaching
• Travel expenses
• Entry fees
• Escort boats and support crews that ensure swimmers’ safety
• Donations to American Parkinson’s Disease Association and Northwest Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (after expenses are covered). Both these organizations provide fabulous programs and support for people with Parkinson's, and their families and friends.
Yep, $50,000 is a big number. We know we’ve got a supportive community and we plan to pull out all the stops. Please join us in Making Waves Against Parkinson’s Disease.
More about us:
My long journey to a Parkinson's diagnosis
Working full-time with young-onset Parkinson's
Bernardo's All Stars Master's Swim Team
Coronavirus forces Tacoma swim team into Puget Sound
Chad's bio
Katy's bio
Organizer
D. M. S. Hagedorn
Organizer
Tacoma, WA
