Support Chris Claiborne's Parkinson's Battle

5 years ago my brother, Chris Claiborne, was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson's Disease, aka Young Onset Parkinson's Disease. We didn't know a lot about the disease, but what we did know wasn't encouraging. He'd spent a year trying to figure out what was going on after noticing that, when running on the treadmill, his arm was just hanging abnormally, rather than swinging back and forth. He was told that he'd likely need a walker within 5 years and there was not much that could be done, aside from medication to alleviate the various symptoms that would shortly arise. Not encouraging, to say the least.

Fast-forward to 2023 and my brother is two weeks past his surgeries and procedures to install Deep Brain Stimulation -- a new procedure that helps control tremors with a brain implant that is programmed and adjusted by remote control. First was brain surgery to implant the device, then a separate surgery to install the battery pack. So far, the results are encouraging, and there is hope that he may soon be able to decrease some of the many medications which cause myriad issues, compounding his constant state of pain and discomfort.

While we are all thrilled with the progress, and the possibilities, the cost of these procedures is also debilitating. Fortunately, Chris has health insurance, and a kind and understanding employer that enables him to take the time off he needs, the costs have completely drained his resources. The costs are well over $100,000 and rising. If you can help, all funds raised will be used exclusively for medical bills and any extra funds raised will be donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.