MY STORY

Not long after my dad retired, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, and subsequently with Diffuse Lewy Body Disease as well. It took our family a while to get his specific diagnosis right. We must have taken my dad to a dozen neurologists, surgeons, and specialists in the traditional healthcare system. This was several years before the field of Functional Medicine was formed. I was going to be the daughter to heal my dad of his culmination of symptoms that we call Parkinson’s.
 

My Dad was willing to see all the specialists, and try different pharmaceuticals that were touted as the “gold standard” in traditional Parkinson care. However, he became weaker and suffered unrelenting nausea until we minimized his medication. We knew we had to try other avenues to help create a better quality of life. We started focusing on holistic health and lifestyle. We hired a personal trainer for my dad at our local community center and we saw wonderful results in his moving and walking. He also said that he felt stronger. Additionally, he went to acupuncture and we saw wonderful results with that as well, especially for his nausea from his Parkinson medication. 

 

A few years later his symptoms progressed, and he was told he was not a candidate for deep brain stimulation. However, I am so grateful today there are so many more holistic treatment options available which garner greater success in helping to reverse Parkinson symptoms.

 

At the end, my dad was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and lung cancer. After my dad passed, I knew I could not stop helping people with Parkinson’s, and I know this is part of my calling in life. I have so much care and knowledge I need to continue to share, and so much to help educate people through my personal journey with my dad and Parkinson’s.