Finding Purpose Through Adversity
Sometimes, our greatest struggles lead us to our true purpose. In my case, I believe this wholeheartedly. Nothing happens by accident—everything unfolds exactly as it is meant to. While it’s easier said than done, I’ve come to accept that we don’t always choose our path, whether good or bad. Instead, we must recognize when it reveals itself and use our gifts to nurture it.
When I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 40, I didn’t see it as a punishment but rather a calling—an assignment I was meant to embrace. At the time, I couldn’t explain why I felt this way. I was strangely calm yet fully aware of the weight of the words spoken to me. I just knew that this was the beginning of something greater. My wife and I refused to accept the standard narrative surrounding this disease. We weren’t willing to surrender to negativity or blindly accept traditional treatment options as our only way forward.
The medical journey that followed was frustrating and costly. After my initial diagnosis, I was advised to get an MRI, followed by a DATscan, which both cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. Determined to explore all options, we sought a second opinion. Thanks to the generosity of friends, we gained access to a world-renowned hospital that would have otherwise taken months to get into. We were told that everything would be done in one trip to make things easier on us, so it would be best if we could fly out and stay a few days. We rearranged our lives—booking flights, a rental car, hotel stays, and organizing pet and child care—all to get a clearer answer.
Upon arrival, the appointment felt eerily familiar, mirroring my first one in Texas. Once again, I was told I likely had Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease and needed an expensive scan to confirm it. We had been assured that everything necessary would be completed during this trip, but that quickly changed. Instead, we were told the scan couldn’t be scheduled while we were there and that we would have to return at a later date to undergo the test at their facility—rather than having it done back home in Texas. We were stuck there for days, waiting, expecting answers, and making sacrifices to be there—only to leave with nothing done. So, once again, we rearranged our lives, made the trip back, and went through the process all over again. In the end, it was the same diagnosis, the same prescription, and the same hollow advice: take the medication and exercise. That was it.
What made it even more frustrating was learning that the facility had an entire clinic dedicated to patients with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease, yet we had no referral, no consultation, no opportunity to sit with someone who could help us navigate this new reality. No discussion about nutrition, no conversation about lifestyle changes, no mention of emerging or alternative therapies—just a pill and a treadmill.
We were left on our own, searching for answers that should have been readily available. It became clear that if we wanted real solutions, we would have to find them ourselves. That was the moment everything changed for me. It was the tipping point—I never took the prescription and that was the last time I set foot in a doctor’s office for Parkinson’s.
The Bigger Picture
Looking back, I now see that my condition didn’t suddenly emerge at the age of 40. The signs had been there for years, misdiagnosed and masked by pharmaceuticals. Growing up in the Northeast, mood disorders were commonplace, making it easy to overlook the signs in myself. It wasn’t until I started working in a professional setting and traveling that I realized something was off.
Doctors quickly labeled my struggles as ADHD, prescribing medications that worked—until they didn’t. Each time my symptoms returned, the solution was simply a higher dose or a new drug. Over time, the side effects compounded: anxiety, depression, and even severe psoriasis, each requiring additional medications. At no point did anyone look deeper. No one questioned whether there was a root cause for my symptoms, beyond just assuming they were chemical imbalances. I was conditioned to trust doctors implicitly, believing they knew best. But what I’ve come to understand is that our healthcare system isn’t designed to heal—it’s designed to manage symptoms. We don’t have a network of true healers; we have a system that prescribes and moves on. Had I questioned things sooner, I might have started my true healing journey much earlier.
A New Path
My wife and I are both stubborn by nature. Some might even call us difficult. Perhaps it’s because we’re both the youngest in our families, or maybe it’s simply who we are. We are unwavering in our faith and beliefs, and we refuse to accept anything at face value without questioning it first.
I’m incredibly grateful for my wife, Courtney. Not just for her unwavering support, but for her intelligence, compassion, and deep medical knowledge. She has a gift. An innate ability to help others heal and is relentless in her pursuit of knowledge and solutions that truly make a difference. Together, we have found a shared mission. We didn’t influence each other to take this path; we arrived at it independently, yet we are fully aligned in our purpose.
Through this journey, we realized that we are not alone. So many people are navigating similar struggles, feeling lost and unheard in a healthcare system that often prioritizes symptom management over true healing. Whether facing neurological conditions, autoimmune diseases, or other chronic illnesses, countless individuals are searching for answers beyond prescriptions and conventional treatments. That is why we founded The Parkinson’s Project Foundation—to provide hope, awareness, and education for those seeking alternative paths to wellness. Our mission is to build a community of support, advocate for holistic healing, and inspire others to take an active role in their own health.
We refuse to let a diagnosis define us, and we want others to know they don’t have to either. No matter the condition, there are options, and healing is possible. This is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a movement. Through faith, resilience, and a commitment to holistic wellness, we are determined to shift the narrative around chronic illness and empower others to reclaim their health and their lives.
If my journey resonates with you, know that you are not alone. There is another way, and together, we can find it.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
