Douglas

Diagnosed at 41

My story of Parkinson’s is I started to have symptoms in 2001 and I was diagnosed in 2003. Then it was confirmed by the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL in 2007. I went to the Cleveland Clinic with my father to a Movement disorder doctor because my parents moved to FL from NY and they were living with me now. At that time I became a caregiver to my parents along with me being a patient of PD. I was the caregiver to both my parents my Mom had COPD and Dad PD. My Mom passed in 2012 and my Dad in 2014. After I went to the Cleveland Clinic I became active in finding out more about Parkinson’s Disease and got involved in some studies and trials. I have taken part in 23 & me DNA marker test, been part of the PROGENI project and been in a phase 2b drug trial of SYN-115 from BioTie. Parkinson’s Disease seems to run in our family so I am willing to be a part of trials and testing to help future generations in my family. So they can be better off then my father and I am and maybe be a cure for PD. I am very active in my community helping out others raise awareness for there cause and at the time I talk about Parkinson’s. I’m paying it forward to help others because some day I will need help.