Stories

I am living well because of the Parkinson Association. Their PD 101 class helped me better understand what my neurologist had told me when I was first diagnosed five years ago, and to have hope. They taught me that I can fight back and make my journey a better one. I joined the PAA’s circuit […]

The year was 2000, the beginning of a new millennium. I was at concert and my right hand was tapping along to the music, but my left could not keep up. That was strange and I optimistically self-diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome, I bought some wrist braces and wore them at night, but they gave me

Three years ago, our lives changed when we joined the Parkinson’s world.  At first, we stumbled around on our own trying to find all the information about Parkinson’s we could. We soon discovered Parkinson Association of Alberta and their regular support groups in Lethbridge and registered. We quickly learned that we are not alone in

When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s back in 2021, I was not sure where, or whom, I could look to for information and supports.  In my case, I have many loving and supportive caregivers; Sue Chappelle, my wife of 44 years, my three children, Chris, Corey and Laura, and many close friends.  Parkinson Association of

Initially, doctors told me my symptoms weren’t “typical” for Parkinson’s, given my age and no family history. But after a year of evaluation, I received the diagnosis. My neurologists admitted they had never diagnosed or worked with someone my age and gender. I felt like an outlier—alone, scared, unsure of what the future held, for

Not only did my Parkinson’s diagnosis completely change my lifestyle, it accelerated our planned move from one city to another.   Parkinson Association of Alberta was a lifeline for us as I began my PD journey and adapted to Edmonton’s medical community. There is no way this huge life change could have happened so smoothly without

We were diagnosed on November 29, 2016, and the very next day purposed to join a support group to help us deal with and understand this disease.  That was our first encounter with Parkinson Association of Alberta.  I contacted them, and within a couple of days a client services coordinator contacted me and planned a

My Father’s Day story actually starts by talking about my mum.  She was diagnosed with young onset PD over 25 years ago.  For many years she has had minimal and manageable symptoms, and on their retirement from teaching, my parents enjoyed camping, international travel, spending time with family, and walking together almost daily. Over the

In 2002, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. I was 39, my son was 11 and I was his soccer and his basketball coach. I worried about what kind of soccer or basketball coach I could be to him, and even what kind of father I could be, as someone with Parkinson’s Disease. His mother

Our dad, Larry Garnier, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease on December 17, 2008 at the age of 64. Even though the diagnosis was hard for us all at first, knowing he and my mom had a good support system was reassuring. This diagnosis was a challenge for my dad as he has been a farmer