My Parkinson's Bio

Background

I am a married, 62-year-old, with four adult children. My wife first noticed a tremor in my left hand during the spring of 2019, and I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease by a neurologist on July 17, 2019. Since my diagnosis, I have made it my purpose in life to do everything I can to personally fight my Parkinson’s AND to support the cause to find a cure.

I have heard many people say, “Don’t let Parkinson’s define you”. I disagree. I embrace my Parkinson’s, focusing on it every day and using it as motivation to accomplish what I’ve set my mind to that day to keep the disease at bay. I welcome the challenge that I’ve been given and have made it my singular, guiding life’s purpose to beat this disease. It is my reason for getting out of bed in the morning, not my excuse for avoiding the day, and is reflected in the hashtag I often use, #NeverGiveUp. I recently got a tattoo of the Parkinson’s tulip on my shoulder to signify my “relationship” with Parkinson’s.

My educational background is (somewhat) in science. I have a master’s degree from Cornell University in electrical engineering and applied physics, so I understand a fair amount about electrical signals (which I have learned is one foundation for neural communication) and know enough to be “dangerous” when it comes to the chemistry of the brain. My background is also strong in statistics, so I have a solid understanding of the mathematics behind research analysis. After my diagnosis, I took sections of a Duke University neuroscience course on the online platform Coursera to increase my understanding of the workings of the brain (e.g. neurotransmitters, action potentials, etc.).

I spend several hours a week keeping up with the latest research—alpha-synuclein, gut-brain connection, impact of exercise/diet, ultrasound therapy, stem cells, and other topics. And have taken part in studies at Yale, Columbia, Weill Cornell Medical College, University of Delaware, Boston University, Stanford, Tel Aviv University, University of Rochester, George Washington University, McGill University to further my understanding of Parkinson’s and connect with researchers. I am part of PD GENEration and the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) PPMI and have presented on behalf of researchers to their study sponsors. I also completed the APDA course, Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Training for Fitness Professionals (and received the course certification).

Advocacy

In September 2025, I participated in the Parkinson’s Policy Forum—a non-partisan event, bringing over 250 advocates from 45 states to Washington, D.C. to call on Congress to accelerate progress toward better treatments and cures for Parkinson’s. I co-led the Connecticut delegation, and eventually I became the lead speaker in our sessions. Over two packed days, we held five meetings with congressional staff, honored Senator Murphy (D-CT) for his leadership and collaborated with Parkinson’s advocates from across the country.

As part of my previous efforts, I advocated with seven U.S. senators (from CT, FL, MA, NY, TX and UT) to support The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act (S. 1064). In 2023, both Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sen. Rubio (R-FL) agreed to co-sponsor S. 1064 based on my advocacy with them, and Sen. Schumer (D-NY) agreed to co-sponsor in April 2024. The legislation passed the Senate unanimously on May 23, 2024.

In 2024, I spoke to multiple CT State Legislators in support of a bill (S.B. No. 1) that passed in May 2024, which will establish both a statewide Parkinson’s Disease research registry and a healthy brain initiative by bringing relevant stakeholders together to develop a plan to address health conditions affecting the brain. As part of the 2023 Parkinson’s Day of Action, I had a Letter to the Editor published in the Hartford Courant, encouraging local legislators to support our efforts and supporting ‘Call to Action’ efforts to ban TCE, which was banned by the EPA in Dec. 2024.

I am also participating in the following efforts to support the most effective use of grants and research funds.

I am a Research Advocate for the Parkinson’s Foundation where I will work with scientists, industry and government to ensure more efficient and effective research for Parkinson’s disease.
I participated in the Parkinson's Foundation 2024 and 2025 Community Grants Reviews to evaluate community-based education and outreach programs that address unmet needs in the Parkinson’s community.
The Fox Foundation referred me to serve as a Consumer Reviewer on the scientific peer review panel of the Department of Defense’s Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP). The mission of the PRP is to support high-impact Parkinson’s research that alters disease progression, improves disease symptoms, and develops treatments that benefit service members, veterans, and all others living with Parkinson’s disease. This past year, the program directed $16 million in research funding.

Exercise

I have always tried to maintain a good level of fitness, and since learning the impact of exercise has on disease progression, I have intensified my efforts. I believe this has been instrumental in my ability to significantly slow my disease progression, and I am always looking for ways to do more. I currently take Levodopa (Sinemet), but do not experience off-time and haven’t had any significant progression of my symptoms over the past years, which I attribute to my exercise regimen.

I am somewhat obsessive and combine (high intensity) aerobic, strength, flexibility/balance (yoga, qigong, tai chi, balance boards) and neuromotor (boxing, ping-pong, reaction balls) elements into my routine. I strive for and usually achieve 200+ activity minutes per week on my Fitbit. Over the past 3+ years, I’ve completed 10 Spartan/OCR races, 7 Sprint Triathlons (one where I made the podium, see photo below) and raced in the Empire State Building Stair Climb three times, mostly with my adult children participating alongside me (as Team Yellen). My training combines running, biking, walking, swimming, elliptical, rowing, jump rope, weights, resistance (chin-ups, push-ups, rope climb), balance, ping-pong and boxing based on what type of event I am training for at the time. During COVID, I built a home gym in my basement, which I use for most of my indoor workouts.

I have used my participation in athletic events as a method of fundraising. Team Yellen raised over $15,000 through Parkinson’s Champions for the Parkinson’s Foundation and Team Fox for The Michael J. Fox Foundation since 2023.

Low-Toxicity Living (Diet)

I have always been interested in diet and nutrition, trying to understand how to eat as healthy as possible. Since learning about the potential environmental impact on brain health, I have focused on adopting a low-toxicity lifestyle. I am trying to remove potential toxins from my diet, personal care products and household cleaners and environment.

My philosophy regarding diet (in particular supplements) as it pertains to my Parkinson’s is to take whatever steps I can that could help as long as they can’t hurt, including:

Following the MIND diet
Eating whole foods and eliminating highly processed foods
Taking a multivitamin (for B12 and folate)
Supplementing with curcumin (with black pepper) and fish oil
Eliminating (most) dairy to fight inflammation
Eating high-flavonoid foods—berries, cocoa, coffee, tea and grapes
Taking a probiotic and eating yogurt, kefir, etc.
Buying organic (particularly avoiding the dirty dozen)
Staying hydrated and drinking filtered water
Following a variety of calorie-restricted and (intermittent) fasting regimens

My long-term goal is to be as public as possible and to be heavily involved in the efforts of organizations like MJFF, Parkinson’s Foundation, APDA, Davis Phinney and others in the fight to end Parkinson’s. I was a focus group member and content contributor (quotes and photo) to the recently published MJFF Exercise Guide. I was a (motivational) speaker at a Parkinson’s Body and Mind event on “Self-Efficacy and Fighting Parkinson’s”, the 2024 Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day CT, sat on a panel at a local APDA Educational Conference in 2024 and 2025, and am looking forward to delivering additional motivational presentations to other groups in the future. Another bucket list item for me is a TED Talk on Living Parkinson’s.

Professional Background

Professionally, I work full-time, currently leading the Pricing and Packaging Team at a technology company, and in my career have had various marketing and sales roles at other technology companies. I have spoken at many conferences and marketing events (most recently moderating panels at Product Marketing Alliance events) and am very comfortable speaking in-person or on webinars.

In summary, my goal (purpose) is to do all that I can to support the efforts to end Parkinson’s. I want to meet with other researchers and advocates to improve my advocacy and expand my network in the community.

Some photos of my latest Spartan events, triathlons, stair climbs and the “wall of fame” in my home gym are below.