30 Days of PD: I Can Fight for Change to Help Those in the Same Boat

Photo courtesy of Julie Fitzgerald

Day 6 of 30

This is Julie Fitzgerald’s story:

Parkinson’s is an uninvited, unwanted guest who has taken up residence in my body. There is nothing I can do to make it leave. I can only control it some of the time.

The disease is unpredictable. I never know if my day is going to be a good day or a bad day. By a good day, I mean a day when I can function as a fairly normal person. A bad day means it will take all my strength to get out of bed, get myself dressed, and go about my normal activities.

Attitude plays a huge role in living with Parkinson’s. I could let the Parkinson’s monster take over or I can fight like hell every day. I choose to never give up fighting.

Parkinson’s is not without a silver lining. I have met many people and made friends all over the world. I am part of the Parkinson’s tribe. Although the disease affects everyone differently, we are all in the same boat. There is comfort in that boat.

In 2019, I joined a group of advocates on a 120-mile, nine-day hike in Sicily, Italy, to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. There were 11 of us — three with Parkinson’s and one with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The rest have or had a family member with one of the diseases. We averaged 17 miles a day with temperatures ranging from 110–115 degrees. We encouraged one another, waited for those who fell a bit behind, cheered each other on, and even danced.

As I hiked along steep inclines under the searing Sicilian sun, I kept chanting “never, ever, ever give up!” It was a defining experience. I have proven to myself that despite my limitations, I could do what I thought would be impossible. It is a memory I will cherish.

No one would choose to have Parkinson’s but I can fight for changes that will better the lives of others. My goal is to get in front of legislators and get laws passed that will make healthcare better, easily accessible, and more affordable. The ultimate goal is to find a cure!

Parkinson’s News Today’s 30 Days of PD campaign will publish one story per day for Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month in April. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more stories like this, using the hashtag #30DaysofPD, or read the full series.