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

My wife Sheri and I moved from Nebraska to Carlsbad, CA in 1999. We were semi-retired after I left the corporate world and we sold the fine dine restaurant that we owned and Sheri managed for 16 years. After a year we both accepted jobs with our church. I became the Controller and IT Manager and Sheri was the Administrative Assistant to the Missions pastor and the Life After 50 ministry. In 2006 Sheri was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We weren’t too concerned since her father had Parkinson’s disease and did fine. Her disease progressed slowly and her symptoms increased each year. She had dyskinesia, bradykinesia, “freezing”, Parkinson’s dementia, and Parkinson’s psychosis as well as restless leg syndrome. By 2016 I became her 24/7 caregiver. God took her home in September 2019 after 58 years of marriage. Along the way I learned so much about how to lovingly care for the love of my life and face the challenges that Parkinson’s disease presents on the journey. I am retired and continue to volunteer with the Care ministry at my church.

Contact Art:

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:

Edna Culp from San Diego, CA is an Advance Practice Nurse/Clinical Nurse Specialist with focus in adult Gerontology, currently affiliated with University of California San Diego Health. Edna was married to Mark who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2000 when they had been married for 10 years. They lived with this uninvited guest in their home for more than 20 years.

This has become a life of service and there is passion, joy and reward in sharing with others what was experienced and learned down this difficult road.

Contact Edna:

After my retirement, my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, with Lewy Body dementia eventually added to the DX. Prior to that we were overseers of his mother’s Parkinsons caretaking. In the 8 years of being his caretaker, I learned much about my role and about PD from him (both as a patient and as a retired physician). People skills, caring, listening, patience, time management, gratitude for the joyful, happy times are some of the things I learned on this journey. Now I want to share what I learned with other caretakers.

My B.S. degree is in Business Administration. Work experience includes public schools, interfacing with students, staff, and parents daily, often in unscripted situations.

Contact Elaine:

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:

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:

Paul leads the Oceanside chapter of North County Parkinson’s Support Group and is NCPSG Board president. He was care partner for his wife Eva in her 21-year battle with Parkinson’s, and serves the Parkinson’s community in her honor and memory.

He grew up in San Diego and Orange Counties, served in the US Navy Reserve, and became a firefighter/paramedic for Vista Fire, promoting to Fire Marshal, serving 26 years. Soon after retiring from Vista, he joined the County as they established the San Diego County Fire Authority, serving again as a Fire Marshal for another eight years. He retired for a second time to become fulltime care partner for Eva.

Eva and Paul’s experience with Parkinson’s Support Groups and Parkinson’s Association of San Diego helped them anticipate challenges and discover coping skills in their Parkinson’s journey. “We learned so much, built wonderful friendships, and enriched our lives through those relationships.”

Contact Paul:

Sam is President of the North County Parkinson’s Support Group. He has been on that board for 9 years and serves as the leader of the La Costa support group. He was his wife’s care partner for their 22 year journey with Parkinson’s before she passed in 2018 from Parkinson’s Dementia. Sam and Ruth raised their two wonderful boys in Tucson where they both had careers in education. They enjoyed several years of RV trips throughout the American West and Canada. Sam took long motorcycle rides in the summer including one trip from Tucson to Banff, Alberta. They moved to Oceanside 10 years ago. Sam is available to mentor care partners who have dementia by email only.

Contact Sam (please note, Sam is available as a mentor by email only):

Sandy is a lifelong learner who enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others. She is the care partner for her husband who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006. As Parkinson’s symptoms increased, they began attending support groups and enjoyed meeting people who were facing some of the same challenges. The information they learned made the Parkinson’s journey easier.

For the last few years she has served as a facilitator for the Oceanside Support Group Care Partners. She likes to develop friendships so that other care partners don’t need to feel alone. Sandy is still learning. She watches informative Webinars on Parkinson’s and Care Giving. She has been part of the UCSD Care Partners Research Programs and has learned the importance of taking care of yourself and some special techniques.

Contact Sandy: