Search for a San Diego Mentor – See Bios, Photos, Contact Info

Retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease on my 48th birthday. As a Marine I had been accustomed to a high level of fitness and coordination. My duties included flying high performance jets aboard aircraft carriers, a four year tour as a Topgun instructor, and squadron commander. It was humbling to learn that I had PD. In the 21 years since, there have been many trials and challenges, but there have also been many blessings and great hope.

It is important to share some encouragement with others as they start their journeys.

Contact Bob:

The tremors started seemingly out of the blue, the diagnosis was made, but it wasn’t for another couple years that I realized life could go on with joy, purpose and meaning in spite of and because of PD. With the loving support of my husband, friends and members of the Parkinson’s support group we belong to, my world has expanded to include knowledge of the disease, treatment options, healthy lifestyle choices and hope for the future. Having just completed the DBS surgery and programing, I am looking forward to hours of increased on-time, fewer hours of dyskinesia and tremor and less medicine.

Retired elementary school teacher, wife of husband Aaron for 40 years, mother of three children in their 30s, and grandmother of four, I love to read, hang out with friends, putter around in my garden, travel, and play with the grandkids.

Contact Diane:

I have been a primary Care Partner for my loved one for the past 15 years,  We have experienced and learned much on this Parkinson’s journey.  I compare the journey to a river.  Early symptoms progress slowly and life is smooth  for the most part. As the journey progresses from calm still waters to running stream and encountering rough waters & surprise waterfalls down stream.  I have learned to be flexible and do all I can to prepare.

I am a Support Group leader of a local NCPSG chapter, attend PD seminars, and participate in Care Partner group meetings.

I worked in the Hospitality Industry part time for 6 years, after retiring from working 33 years in retail management for JCPenney at the store, district and corporate level.

I have a passion for people and my life mission to serve others.

Contact Irene:

As a PWP I feel that I am in a unique position to be of help to those in the Parkinson’s community. I used to be a very physically active person, competitive figure skating, ultimately ending up coaching. I also marched in the high school and college bands. I worked continuously from age fifteen until age forty four when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. When I was diagnosed, I was eight years into my second career, having medically retired from the first. I have much to offer to my fellow PWP’s and am hoping that by sharing my story I can improve someone’s life and quell the fears that we face as we navigate our new normal.

Contact Kimberly

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in August 2019 and was shocked. As a psychology professor and research scientist, I felt the need to learn what I could about PD and deal with it from both medical and psychological perspectives. Along the way, I have blogged about it on my Psychology Today blog as “A Scientist Grapples With Parkinson’s Disease” and annual updates. Along with my scientific mind seeking an understanding, I also met several others with PD and we share information on topics ranging from our personal fears and successes to our meds, to the newest PD research. That combination of information and support has been VERY helpful in dealing with my PD. Personally, my PD is in an interesting state with tremors mostly controlled by meds (unless I get stressed or cold) but cognitive issues showing up although it’s hard to disentangle cognitive issues from aging issues. I still have some other symptoms such as typing as my left hand can no longer keep up with my right when typing. A true challenge! I also have other symptoms such as a reduced appetite as well as bouts of exhaustion, depression and anxiety. I am 74 and recently retired from 45 years teaching psychology at CSU Dominguez Hills in LA. For the last 35+ years I taught and studied the psychological impact of technology.

Contact Larry:

Lisa is a clinical neuroscientist for Parkinson’s and her work was inspired by her mother’s struggle with a movement disorder. Working closely with people with Parkinson’s has helped her understand how to help and she has been recognized with the Dunay Quality of Life award for her compassionate work. Her area of expertise is in using neuroscience-based tools and technology to improve the daily life of people with Parkinson’s. If you find yourself overwhelmed by information overload she can help you search for what is best for you.

Contact Lisa:

I was diagnosed with PD in August 2016. Needless to say, I was shocked. I know how difficult it is to talk about PD with family, friends and acquaintances. It’s easier to talk about the disease with people who have it. Few of my friends know I have PD. I want to be a mentor to share what I have learned about PD because it is such a complicated disease. It is especially scary when you are recently diagnosed and you want to know the best treatment options to slow the progression. There is so much information on the internet, and when you talk to other people with Parkinson’s, their treatment is never the same.

My background: I had a 30-year career as a Communications Advisor to C-level executives at IBM in New York. I also was a reporter in the Los Angeles bureau of the UPI wire service and a writer/photographer for a New York-based trade magazine publisher. After retiring from IBM in 2011, I was Director of Special Projects and Administration for New York Junior Tennis & Learning, a nonprofit that combines tennis and an after-school program to keep at-risk youth off the streets. I also was on the Board of Directors for Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, which provides a college education to individuals incarcerated in New York prisons. Although I have PD, I’m an avid tennis player and scuba diver.

Contact Maxine:

My father had Parkinson’s and was diagnosed at age 86 years young. I knew there was something wrong with myself but decided I would delay my diagnosis until my father passed. I was officially diagnosed with PD in 2009. I recently had DBS surgery which in my case benefited me greatly. I know first hand how PD affects one’s self, parents, spouses, children, friends, work as well as the financial burdens that arise.

My career involved extensive international travel running a large export business, global sourcing, marketing, distribution as well international marketing. During my 30 years of working with my organization I was also involved with paper machines, box plants, Kyoto protocol/climate change and ensuring compliance with the UN. Finally, I was part of the key management team involved financial resources, SPACS, and liquidating companies

I have been retired since I was 50 years old and find myself wanting to give more of myself to others as well as benefit from listening, sharing, and experiencing the joy that today and tomorrow holds for all of us.

Contact Paul:

When I was first diagnosed September 2019, I didn’t know anything about Parkinson’s. I had been having various symptoms for months which resulted in me being sent to the ER by an Urgent Care doctor and then by ambulance again by my Primary Care doctor who thought I was having a stroke. I had multiple tests and MRIs but no diagnosis. I was seen by a neurologist twice and then finally was sent for a DATScan which confirmed with my symptoms that I had PD. I educated myself as much as possible and I am now involved in multiple research studies and I want to be able to help others that are newly diagnosed to understand what is happening to them and to be able to get the resources and help they need.

Contact Susan:

Born in 1947 in Sioux Falls, So Dakota. Graduated from University of So Dakota with majors in Math and Physics in 1969. Received an MBA in 1970. Entered the workforce with the CPA firm Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co. (now KPMG). Went to work for a client in the printing field. In 1978, formed Applied Graphics, Inc. Built the company to $37MM in revenue in 2006 at which time sold the business to a public company. Currently live in San Diego with wife of 40 years. Two grown children both live in San Diego. Core belief…you are only limited by your goals.

Contact Tom:

I have been a teacher all my professional life and as a past president of the Parkinson’s Association in San Diego I received lots of phone calls from newly diagnosed patients and was able to talk them through the shock of the new diagnosis and show them all of the resources that are available to them at our association.

Contact Wayne: