An interview with Bill Easterly: My Fight for Dignity with Parkinson’s
Biography
My name is Bill Easterly. I grew up in a small town in Northwest Ohio. I became an economist for the World Bank and later an economics professor at NYU, working on the problems of poverty in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Russia. I wrote 4 books on these topics (the last one just released in November 2025). I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 at age 61. I retired in 2025.
Can you tell me more about your Advocacy?
I am involved with the New York City chapter of Ping Pong Parkinson, I help run a lecture series for people with Parkinson’s, and am getting involved in the new Bandeen Center of the Parkinson’s Wellness Foundation in New York City. My main goal is to use my Parkinson’s to help other people with Parkinson’s.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
It bothers me how much people with Parkinson’s are patronizingly treated like children and not given enough of a voice in fighting their own battle against Parkinson’s. The resulting loss of dignity and respect from so much paternalism is one of the most painful aspects of having Parkinson’s. Fighting back against this is something we can best do together, supporting each other in a self-governing community (as we are fortunate to have at Ping Pong Parkinson NYC).
What type of goals does individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
To find your community and to regain your own voice, dignity and respect.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
I am not involved in training programs yet, but would love to do so in the future.
What effect can your Advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
To feel respected again is transformative; as the philosopher John Rawls said, respect is a primary human need like food or shelter.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your Advocacy?
To inspire all those who work on Parkinson’s to give more of a voice to those of us who have Parkinson’s. In the words of a slogan from the disability rights movement: “Nothing about us without us!”
What events do you participate in?
Helping to run and moderate our own lecture series, and giving a talk at the Bandeen Center.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
It is eye-opening for caregivers to see the need of their loved ones with Parkinson’s for agency, to be treated like the dignified adults we are. At the same time, those of us with Parkinson’s can empathize with our caregivers that sometimes we do need a little bit of paternalism! And I admit I am sometimes paternalistic towards other people with Parkinson’s! We are all in this together.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Email me at William.Easterly@gmail.com. See the website pingpongnyc.org for our New York City chapter of Ping Pong Parkinson, headed by Jan Rose.
@bill_easterly on X
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Talk to the people in your life with Parkinson’s about their needs for dignity, and spread the word.
In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy?
Including the voices of those of us who have Parkinson’s.
How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?
The concept of cure should include making life better for those who already have Parkinson’s, which broadens the appeal of fundraising.
What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living Eg exercise and alternative remedies?
I play Ping Pong three times a week, do boxing and other exercise twice a week, and take non-Parkinson’s classes at CUNY on poetry and opera. (It’s not as impressive as it sounds — this schedule is often interrupted by other things.)
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
In the words of the famous John Donne quote: “”Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” When those of us with Parkinson’s fight for health and dignity, we help everyone’s fight for health and dignity.
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
My sister Patricia died of Parkinson’s two weeks ago. Her symptoms were much worse than mine (she was diagnosed with Young Onset PD in 2003). Yet she gave me tremendous support with my Parkinson’s and was a great role model of dignity and sweetness and positivity. I tried to reciprocate but I can never repay my debt to her. For the sake of Patricia’s memory, I will try to help others with Parkinson’s as she did with me.
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
I joke with my family that people with incurable neurodegenerative diseases are allowed to use cheesy music for inspiration. My favorite is the music from the Lord of the Rings movies. Specifically the music track “Samwise the Brave,” which accompanies Sam’s speech at the end of the second movie: “It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo… folk in those stories had lots of chances to turn back only they didn’t, they kept going.” see https://youtu.be/Zjm1DRMEyUQ?si=um-vCvgJUp3z_0ds
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
“Nothing about us without us!”
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TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure. Sharon’s Son, George
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