An interview with Nathan Moyer Physical Therapist Assistant on Advocacy on July 8, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
I’m a practicing Physical Therapist Assistant of 14 years with the bulk of my practice being in the inpatient rehabilitation environment. I would say I’ve been Parkinson’s disease focused, specialized even, for 10years. I’ve been trained in Parkinson’s Specific Therapy methods, and currently hold certification in LSVT-BIG. Throughout that time, I’ve been involved in many advocacy avenues. Be it in clinical care, wellness coaching, and fundraising for the Parkinson’s community.
Please tell me a little about your background and what got you involved with awareness.
What started as a desire for knowledge working with the Parkinson’s population; turn into a passion. I became an advocate because of the limited community support and poor support within healthcare systems. I was a Parkinson’s Foundation MovingDay team captain for 5 years raising over $5800.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
My passion is helping people with Parkinson’s disease manage it and maintain a sense of control over it.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Usually they want to “walk better”, and we work on that and overall moving better and feeling strong.
What effect can your advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s awareness?
Ever since hearing Andy McDowell’s poem “Smaller”. I feel advocacy brings awareness to how isolating Parkinson’s can be, and how we can help them feel a part of the world they live in.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your advocacy?
Increased access to, and availability of, Parkinson’s specific wellness programs. As well as health insurance support for Day Therapy Programs.
What events do you participate in?
I was an avid MovingDay DFW participant as a team captain and as a Movement Pavilion Presenter.
However, since moving out of the DFW my participation in events is limited to social media usage to spread awareness of events and resource information.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
Increasing the presence of these resources lessens the stress of learning about the disease process and finding ways to provide care for their loved ones.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
The best way to reach me would be through email, twitter: @moyerPTA, or Instagram: @taichiattrinity
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson community, what would it be?
Just because the process is degenerative doesn’t mean it’s hopeless.