Hello John,

My name is Marie, and just two years ago at the age of 59, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. After leaving the doctor’s office, I walked out to my car and sat and cried for a long time thinking about how my life had just changed. How could someone like me – a person who loves to move and has a very healthy lifestyle – end up with a movement disorder?

Fast forward to today… My perspective is a lot more positive, and I’ve learned that doing the activities I love is still possible – in fact, I have achieved some goals I’m particularly proud of. But before sharing more of my story with you, John, I want to tell you about a special chance to help more people living with Parkinson’s, right now.

For today and tomorrow only, we have the chance to help more than 200 people access a hard copy of Every Victory Counts. This manual is the premier resource for people living with Parkinson’s, and it’s been a tremendous help to me personally. All you need to do is make a $35 donation to Parkinson Canada – that’s the cost to enable them to give out the manual for free. If 70 of us do this, Lucien Beauchemin, a generous donor living with Parkinson’s, will contribute an additional 140 copies. This is an easy way to make a difference for a lot of people living with Parkinson’s in a single day, so please head to the Parkinson Canada website now to make your donation.

Donate $35 now!

Because of my Parkinson’s, it takes a lot more effort and determination to participate in the activities I’ve loved and competed in my whole life: cross-country and downhill skiing, triathlon, cycling, swimming, running, hiking and canoe tripping. And while that’s very frustrating at times, I think about what I’m still able to accomplish and that inspires me to keep going.

Setting goals has helped me to stay focused on my mental and physical health, and not on the negative aspects of Parkinson’s. In fact, six months after my diagnosis I participated in a ski race in Iceland. By being more cautious and increasing my medication, I completed a 25km skate ski event and the next day finished the 50km classic race high up on the fjords! My most recent accomplishment was raising more than $12,000 for Parkinson Canada through the Growling Beaver Brevet, which involved biking 100 kilometres along a hilly gravel route.

It takes a lot of determination to live well with Parkinson’s. A regular exercise and strength routine coupled with the right medication helps me to maintain my fitness goals and overall quality of life. I remind myself I can only do the best I can; there will be good days and bad days, as we all have. But this I know for sure: thanks to medical research and organizations like Parkinson Canada, there will be many ways I can continue to be an active person, a contributing member of society, and live a fun, healthy life with my family and friends.

Sincerely,
Marie Donnelly
Living with Parkinson’s since 2021

P.S. Don’t forget to make your $35 donation right now so that someone with Parkinson’s can access a hard copy of Every Victory Counts! We need 70 donors to do this in the next 48 hours, and Lucien Beauchemin, a generous donor living with Parkinson’s, will contribute an additional 140 copies. Please give now, and you can be part of helping more than 200 people with Parkinson’s in a single day!

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