The day NASCAR got a win over my uncle’s Parkinson’s disease

Throughout my late uncle Brandon’s journey with Parkinson’s disease, my family made sure he kept up with his physical therapy.

At one point, we started seeing progress. His balance seemed a little better. His confidence had improved. And he was buying into the process more than he had in the beginning, which was no small victory for a man who once believed walking to the mailbox counted as a complete exercise regimen.

Naturally, we wanted to keep that momentum going. So when we ran into a scheduling conflict one week, we didn’t think twice about moving his physical therapy session to another day.

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But on that new day, it turned out to be the Daytona Duels, a NASCAR series. For many people, that might not mean much. But for Uncle Brandon, it meant everything.

He loved NASCAR. Race days weren’t just background noise for him. They were big events. He kept up with the drivers, knew all the stories, and really looked forward to watching every moment.

When we told him about the new appointment time, we thought he wouldn’t mind. After all, he could watch some of the race before the therapist came, catch more after, or maybe even have it on during the session.

Problem solved, or so we thought. Brandon was not a happy camper. He made it clear that he had no interest in splitting his attention between physical therapy and the Daytona Duels. He wanted to sit back, enjoy some good food, have a small cold drink as a special treat, and fully enjoy one of his favorite pastimes.

Remembering what makes life enjoyable

At first, my family pushed back. We reminded him how important exercise and movement were for his health. We talked about the progress in his balance and mobility, and said that staying on track could help him keep doing what he loved.

But the more we talked, the more I started to see something else. While we were thinking about what was good for his body, he focused on what was good for his spirit.

Living with Parkinson’s had already required him to make countless adjustments. Doctor appointments, medications, exercises, mobility challenges, and safety concerns had slowly become part of everyday life. Sometimes it felt like every week brought another reminder of what the disease demanded from him.

This race was more than just a race. It was normalcy. It was excitement. It was anticipation. It was something that had absolutely nothing to do with Parkinson’s disease. And that mattered.

As caregivers, it’s easy to focus on appointments, exercises, medications, and safety. Those things matter and need attention. But that day reminded me that people with Parkinson’s also need chances to just enjoy life.

For a few hours, Uncle Brandon didn’t want to think about gait changes, home exercises, or his next doctor’s appointment. He just wanted to be a NASCAR fan.

Looking back, I see that his favorite hobbies were an emotional outlet. Whether he was hunting, grilling, spending time with friends, or watching a race, those moments let him focus on something besides Parkinson’s. They reminded him he was still himself, not just his diagnosis.

Eventually, we conceded and moved the appointment to a later day that week. Did physical therapy remain important? Absolutely. But so was letting him enjoy something he truly loved without any interruptions.

Looking back, that day taught me an important lesson about caregiving. Sometimes we become so focused on helping our loved ones live longer, healthier lives that we forget to ask what makes those lives enjoyable in the first place.

Of course, treatment matters. And why wouldn’t exercise matter? But joy matters, too.

For Uncle Brandon, that joy took the form of fast cars circling a racetrack hundreds of miles away. And for one afternoon, we decided that NASCAR could win. And it’s one decision we don’t regret.

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.