An interview with Ronald Thomas: Never give up. Never ever give up. And never, ever, ever give up! on January 10, 2025.
Biography
I was born, raised, worked, and have lived in the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area just about all of my life. I am of Polish ancestry. I worked in the hotel industry while attending the University of Illinois, Chicago where I majored in Criminal Justice. I graduated from U of I in three years and one quarter. Upon graduation, my boss asked me what my future plans were, and I shrugged. He offered me a management position which started my hotel management career. I married soon after graduating and divorced less than five years later. No kids thank God! I ended up being part of the opening management team at three full-service hotels in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Along the way, I became a Reserve Police Officer for the Village of Niles, Illinois where I lived. I remarried, and in spite of my faults, 37 years later my wife Jill and I are still together. I started teaching hotel management courses part-time in the mid-1980’s, which led to my becoming a full-time Assistant Professor at Roosevelt University. After three years I took a similar position with Oakton College in Des Plaines, Illinois, retiring early after 27 years due to Parkinson’s disease. I have a Master’s Degree in Management from Webster University and 40+ credit hours beyond the degree in Law Enforcement Administration, Criminal Justice, and Business. I did a stint as a Captain in the Maricopa County (AZ) Sherriff’s Department Advisory Posse as well. Most recently, I came out of retirement to help an old graduate school buddy set up a security consulting business.
My father, brother, and I bought a piece of a foreclosed farm during the late 1980’s in northwest Illinois and planted over 25,000 trees on it. I currently live on a 8.5 acre hobby farm in far northeastern Illinois. My wife and I have beehives and chickens. Prior to PD, we had as many as 50 Katahdin sheep living with us. And because of my involvement with farming, I have been exposed to herbicides, including Roundup, pesticides, and a variety of organic cleaning products/solvents. Volatile organic compounds and PD work well together, much to the detriment of the user.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I continue to fight PD. I DO NOT let PD run my life, or let it ruin my life. I will be 66 years old in June 2025. I still enjoy going out fishing for muskies in my boat and have even been out deer hunting. I continue to target shoot as well. I was diagnosed with PD at age 56 and at Stage 2. I ignored the tremors and blamed it on too much coffee and stress at work. My father had PD, but my older brother does not. My Dad and I were exposed to many of the same chemicals over the years which my brother avoided for the most part. There is a genetic component to PD as well as the environmental components/triggers. As for those of us with PD, correlation does not necessarily mean that there is causation. I do not see any lawsuits against the makers of RoundUp anytime soon. I joined a Rock Steady Boxing Program in 2015 and liked it enough that I took private boxing lessons for a number of years after. I have been a Rock Steady Boxing Coach since August 2016 and have witnessed some dramatic results among the boxers.
Can you tell me more about your Advocacy?
I am new to the game. I primarily cold call on local gyms or health clubs trying to convince them to establish a Rock Steady Boxing Program. I have been successful a couple of times. Since I am semi-retired, I am not pounding the pavement looking for more work. I generally work with the PwP crowd on a one-to-one basis. There are times when PwP just want to talk, and I have always tried to make myself available to listen on the phone, or in-person over coffee. I encourage PwP to try acupuncture. I personally have found it to be a wonderful stress reliever.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
I am passionate about teaching and education. I not only try to inform people, I try to change their attitude. Parkinson’s is a puzzle for researchers and those afflicted with it. Solving puzzles is good for both groups. I have amassed a small collection of books and articles on PD. I feel like a librarian sometimes loaning books and keeping track of who has them.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when seeing your Advocacy?
I have been told that I am an inspiration to others, but I see myself as an average guy just trying to live a life as normal as possible with PD. I can relate to others with the disease, and encourage them not to lose hope. Most PwP I encounter are looking for help. The Rolling Stones recorded a song titled “Let it Bleed,” and it starts with “Well we all need someone we can lean on and if you want it, you can lean on me.” Parkies are family to me, and I will continue to offer help and support to my family members.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
I do not have a set schedule with any of the PwP that I interact with on a regular basis. I have worked with one lady almost ten years until Parkinson’s finally reached the end game. That was a rough time for me. I stay in touch with her husband. I have let people try out my personal Theracycle. While it is an expensive piece of equipment, I have found it to be very helpful.
What effect can your Advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
I have gotten people to smile and laugh who say that they rarely do that anymore because of PD. Many are looking for support and/or to be better informed. There is a book titled “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM): Parkinson’s Disease: A Holistic Program for Optimal Wellness” that I often recommend because doctors often neglect to mention all sorts of things about the disease.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your Advocacy?
I would like to get a website up and running in the next year or so.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
Some of the programs that I participated in allowed caregivers to be involved. E.g. Rock Steady Boxing encourages Parkies to bring with a cornerman, and they too can work out.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
RJ Thomas on Facebook
bandbguy on Instagram
Ronald Thomas @bandbguy on X
Ronald J. “Ron” Thomas on LinkedIn
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Just do it. Find someone who will be your mentor.
If you could add any questions to this interview that you may want others to learn about, what would the question(s) be?
Is there a charge for your time/services? NO!
In your opinion, what is the key to effective advocacy?
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Add to that, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time and effort to become effective, expect failures along the way.
How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?
Organizations need to tap into grant funding. Since the incidence of PD is extremely high among firefighters (an incredible 1 in 30 for those over age 60), approaching the International Association of Fire Fighters might be worth the time and effort.
What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living Eg exercise and alternative remedies?
I try to live a normal life. I engage my brain daily with puzzles. I also make exercising a priority.
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
I honestly believe that here in the United States, we are slowly poisoning ourselves. Look at the rate of PD in the USA and note the heavy use of all sorts chemicals here. Last time I checked, PD has climbed to a rate of 1in 500 here.
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
Yes, my father suffered from PD and only lived to be 67.
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
My Way.
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Exercise at least 3X per week, 90 minutes per session.