Joyce Chu
Matthew Smith lives in the Dallas / Fort Worth area along with his wife Geri. After raising three boys, Matthew and Geri enjoy volunteering in the community and maintaining an active lifestyle. Matthew recently retired after 35 years at Accenture. As an avid cyclist, he enjoys logging miles on the rolling plains of North Texas and also in the San Juan mountains around Durango, Colorado. Matthew was diagnosed with PD in early 2025 with symptoms beginning in the prior years.
With the diagnosis, Matthew is dialing up the miles in 2026 to own the physical and mental “healthspan” and take full advantage of the many benefits of high intensity exercise and endurance training. He is inspired by many in the PD community, support organizations, volunteers, and advocates who are living the journey, pushing boundaries, and fighting every day. His personal exercise goal for 2026 is to log 10,000 miles on the bike. He is excited to join the Route 66 Team and looks forward to riding to the 2026 World Parkinson Congress!
I was a practicing physician, who was passionate about running, playing tennis and keeping fit, when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in my early 50’s. After a lonely, depressing year keeping my condition private, I shared my diagnosis by running the 2010 New York City Marathon for TEAM FOX/The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Just prior to the marathon, I had the unique opportunity to be interviewed by Michael J. Fox for his documentary, Faces of Parkinson’s. The positive attitude, kindness, and support of all involved that marathon weekend changed my outlook on life. I left NYC feeling optimistic and hopeful.
After the 2010 marathon, I kept active and participated in multiple marathons and other endurance events, and hosted fundraisers to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s Disease research. Instead of PR’s, I racked up many PW’s (personal worsts) but was content to be on the course. As my ability to run and play tennis waned, I found joy playing pickleball. To share the joy of pickleball with others with Parkinson’s (and care partners) and to foster long term social connections, I collaborated with community partners to obtain a Parkinson’s Foundation grant for our Connecting Through Pickleball – A Parkinson’s Community Program.
My inspiration and strength come from the many optimistic and active friends with Parkinson’s who strive to live their best possible life. I am always recharged when I participate in an event with others with Parkinson’s, feeling that there is no limit to what we can accomplish together as a team. I have had the good fortune of participating in many amazing events with Bill Bucklew and look forward to riding on the Route 66 team with him, reuniting with Steve and Jett Iseman, and Greg O’Keefe from the 2024 bike ride, and having the opportunity to share the experience with others in the Parkinson’s community. A special thanks to TerraTrike for donating a TerraTrike for me to use on this adventure.
Professionally, although I have retired from my career in medicine as a primary care physician, and then as a medical reviewer for Medicare Part D appeals, I keep my hand in medicine by sharing my medical knowledge and experience as a patient, to help others navigate the ever-complex health care system. Personally, I am fortunate to be surrounded by a loving, supportive family; my 2 daughters, Mark, 5 siblings, and the rest of the family have been instrumental to my well-being.