ExerciseForParkinsons.com

My mission:

I am a medical doctor, patient with Parkinson's disease, and an exercise trainer for people with Parkinson's disease. These personal experiences have given me a unique perspective. My mission is to share what I have learned about how to fight back against Parkinson's disease.

My story:

I felt devastated when I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1997. I felt devastated because I was 41 years old, I had three young children, and I knew it was realistically possible that I might become severely disabled before my children grew up. Today, I am tremendously grateful that my physical function and quality of life are better than my doctors or I would have predicted in 1997.

The combination of a good exercise program and good medical treatment might explain why my Parkinson's disease has progressed slower than usual, and the exercise program almost certainly explains why I have been able to maintain good physical function in spite of the disease (videos). I am especially happy and especially surprised that I still can ski reasonably well on advanced and expert runs (ski videos).

In August 2010, I began leading exercise classes for people with Parkinson's disease. Most participants have gained substantial benefits from the classes (videos of exercise class participants).

It is time to challenge conventional expectations.

In addition to my personal experiences, there is increasing scientific evidence that people with Parkinson's disease and other neurological diseases can help ourselves far more than previously was realized. We do not need to wait for miracle treatments that researchers promise are just around the bend. It is time to challenge conventional expectations about what Parkinson's disease and other neurological diseases are supposed to do to us.