Why I advocate today?
My mother passed on 1/1/2020. Many may turn the page and move onward. I haven’t. I didn’t. I won’t.
But what I truly ask for—what I will continue to fight for—is something I believe we can all stand behind: a cure. Not someday far off, but with urgency. Better yet, let’s push for more than that—let’s stop the progression today, find a way to reverse this disease back to before diagnosis, and then deliver a cure that reaches every single person affected around the world. I will not rest—truly—until that becomes a reality, and I carry that promise forward in memory of my mother, Sharon.
I only wish she could have met each and every one of you in the worldwide community. She would have loved this community, this strength, this understanding that so many of you bring. During her 18-year battle with Parkinson’s, and especially in the last four years when I was her primary caregiver, we didn’t know anyone else who had been diagnosed. There were no shared stories, no support system, no one who truly understood what we were going through day in and day out. It was isolating in a way that’s hard to put into words. That kind of loneliness stays with you.
And that’s exactly why I speak up now. I never want another person, another family, to feel that same isolation—to feel like they have nowhere to turn, no one to lean on, no answers, and no hope. No one should have to navigate something this heavy alone.
Even more than that, I never want anyone to have to endure the kind of battle she faced. Parkinson’s didn’t just affect her physically—it touched every part of her life, and ours. And yet, through it all, she showed a strength, resilience, and grace that still inspires me every single day. She was, and always will be, a warrior. But beyond that, she was my best friend—my constant, my guide, my heart.
We didn’t get the time together that I always dreamed of. There are moments, conversations, and milestones that I wish we could have shared. But what her journey gave me is something I carry deeply—an unshakable drive, a purpose, and a promise to never give up this fight. To keep pushing, to keep advocating, and to keep believing that change is not only possible, but necessary.
I love you all. Truly. This community, your voices, your stories—they matter more than you know. I will do everything in my power to make sure those voices are heard, recognized, and never ignored. I am endlessly grateful for your friendship, your support, and your love. It means more than words could ever fully capture, but I carry that gratitude with me every single day.
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TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure
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