Why I Walk

Proud to Sponsor the Parkinson's Foundation Moving Day Walk

Right at Home is proud to be a national sponsor of the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Moving Day Walk.  I am especially proud of this affiliation, as outstanding care for and research into Parkinson’s disease is deeply personal for me.  This handsome devil is my grandpa Bill Igo, posing with me at my high school graduation.  

Grandpa Bill was a formidable man: A WWII veteran and father of five who retired from Western Electric when I was too young to remember him working.  Grandpa Bill was proud – proud of his appearance - maintaining a strong body and immaculate wardrobe; proud of his mind – a voracious reader, especially of US history, and a master of The New York Times Sunday crosswords; and proud of his independence – traveling the county, playing golf, and doing as he pleased with his time in the years after my grandmother’s death.

As the years went by, his golf game started to suffer, and his developing gait issues led to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.  A series of falls resulted in his needing to move closer to family, and much to his dismay, moving into an independent living community near my parents.  The next several years saw his gait issues progress to using a walker and then an electric scooter.  He eventually began losing control of his mouth, starting with drooling and eventually stealing his wonderful wry smile.  The need for a bib was especially demoralizing for Grandpa, a man who had taken such pride in his appearance and stressed the importance of being well-put-together.  Finally, Parkinson’s disease came for his mind - no longer able to hold onto the thread to read, unable to complete his crosswords, and eventually becoming confused in the moment as well.  It was, and remains, heartbreaking.

The National Parkinson’s Foundation is working every day to fund research and community resources for people living with Parkinson’s Disease and their family members.  The Foundation’s research has led to real breakthroughs in treatment for patients, and can be read about in more detail here: https://www.parkinson.org/research

I walk with the hope that we can stop the demoralizing march of this disease and offer treatments that allow people to maintain their dignity and independence in a way not available to my grandfather.  I invite you to join me and the Right at Home team as we walk this Sunday, October 6th, at Soldier Field.

To join our team, or make a donation, click here: Donate Today!