Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological disease and there are over 1.2 million people in the U.S. living with it. What most people don’t realize is that with the right resources and community someone with Parkinson’s can live quite well. It is time to spread more awareness and opportunity not only for those living with Parkinson’s, but for the family and friends alongside them.
My hope is that this book shows you that you are not alone.
What it is like to live with Parkinson’s goes well beyond what our physical symptoms show the outside world. This book represents what goes on inside, the voice that we either keep hidden or at times can’t help but let out.
This book is me letting it out…for you to enjoy.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for letting me be a small part of your journey.
- Nancy
Nancy Cordaro
Nancy owned a product design company in the toy industry and for over 30 years developing product lines for major toy companies and national retailers.
Since retiring from that industry, she returned to college as a math major and has enjoyed engaging with high school and college students in her growing math tutoring business.
A few years back, Nancy began to teach herself to draw. Today she volunteers her graphic design services for various community organizations.
In 2017, Nancy was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
After experiencing the shock and denial of her diagnosis for months, she joined her first support group and met people who seemed to be living pretty good lives with their PD. She left there feeling hopeful.
She sees herself more of an observer than a joiner in her life, yet when Nancy was invited by her group members to a Rock Steady Boxing class, she decided to see what it was all about. Although she expected to observe on her first day, she was immediately handed a pair of boxing gloves. Not steady enough to stand up through the entire session, she was throwing punches while sitting in her chair.
Today, Nancy enjoys boxing on her feet daily, she has finished a half-marathon, and is more active physically than she's been in the previous 30 years.
Nancy has two grown children and three grandchildren and resides in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.