Diagnosed in December 18, 2002 with Parkinson’s Disease at the Mayo Clinic. My Parkinson’s is Familial, my father had PD and maybe his mother too.

In addition to other health issues, I have also had 4 lightning strikes throughout my life.

February 2009 spent 7 weeks in the hospital (5 weeks in ICU at KU Med) diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis. After leaving KU Med I spent 10 days in inpatient rehab to learn how to walk and

talk again. Over the next several years my health deteriorated until the Young Onset Parkinson’s Support Group was started in around 2013 as part of our local Parkinson’s program. This included

exercise classes and grew to include Rock Steady Boxing.

My healthy lifestyle journey began in 2017, thanks to a great friend referring us to a Functional Medicine doctor in Wichita. He took me off of some prescription meds that were preventing my Parkinson’s meds from working to their full potential. Due to these lifestyle changes I was able to lose 65 lbs. With my Parkinson’s meds working better I was able to resume my passion of woodworking. I have been able to exercise and resume Rock Steady Boxing class, and participate in the annual Speedy PD 5K each August.

In the Spring of 2019 I rode my bicycle around the state of Kansas, visiting Parkinson’s programs along the way.

In December 2022 my wife and I were involved in a bad car accident that I am still healing from. Unfortunately my injuries prevented me from participating in Rock Steady Boxing and looking

forward to resuming that activity.

When I heard about the Route 66 Bicycling team I knew I had to be a part of this awesome experience.