Help me navigate my future...

There's really no way to sugarcoat this so I'm just going to come out and say it... About three weeks ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Yes, it was quite a shock to me, too. It started with a doctor visit, and follow up tests. Based on those results, my Neurologist shared the news and what the immediate effects and steps would be.

I'm now on a Parkinson's medicine to help reduce some of the effects, and it seems to be working well. I'll be taking these for the rest of my life. I'm now a different person in many ways. Emotionally, I cry very easily, even while I compose this, but I am getting more grounded and comfortable with my new reality every day. Some of the symptoms I am dealing with are occasional tremors on my left side, (they were worse before the medicine), I have occasional foggy brain and my muscle movements are slower. I’m grateful for the medical professionals that have served me so well at Kaiser Santa Rosa.

I've been trying to learn about the disease and finding that there's an incredible network of people, organizations and resources around it. (Michael J. Fox Foundation is probably the most well known.) The only predictable common effects of Parkinsons is that there isn’t any. It affects everyone in different ways, intensities and speeds.

Exercise is one of the most effective tools to fight the effects of PD. Unfortunately, I've had a deteriorating arthritic right knee that is scheduled for replacement June 1, so exercise is a challenge right now. It's a good thing I took aquatic exercise classes a few years ago and loved it! It's what I do now at my local gym three or four times a week. It's my savior until my knee replacement surgery

Did you know that there's a worldwide network of gyms called Rock Steady where Parkinsons patients can learn and use boxing skills to retrain muscles to move and react in a more natural way? There's a great one in Petaluma and another is going to open in Santa Rosa in a few weeks.

So now for the other reason for this announcement. I now find myself in a very precarious and challenging financial situation. I haven't been able to work for a few months but the bills keep piling up and that stress is not good for the Parkinsons Disease...

I'm asking for your help and support. I've decided to begin this campaign to give myself some breathing room so I can devote my time and energy on my health issues. I'm also asking you to help share this with others who may be interested.

I'm feeling very grateful and appreciative for all the wonderful people that I've met on this journey and would love to say thank you in advance for your kindness, generosity and support of my situation. I am committed to continue to be optimistic and hopeful as I walk on my path.

Thank You,

Michael