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bad news , she was scheduled for some hearings - and she seriously considered canceling those to cope with the news that had brought her world to a screeching halt . But she gathered her resolve and continued with her schedule as planned - getting an unexpected boost .
“ I had a two-hour gap between the hearings . I was thinking about things and started crying . Suddenly , I felt God ’ s hands reach down and hold me ,” she said . “ He gave me a peace . I always felt so strongly that I was called to do something .”
That something was knowledge . Williams began to research Parkinson ’ s Disease - the causes , the treatments , the medical data available . She met with neurologists and other medical experts , read books , and talked with others who were also dealing with the disease . She held a meeting to encourage others with Parkinson ’ s Disease to listen to medical experts . She was expecting 15 people . There were 45 in attendance . The group has grown since then and has outlined a mission - to educate and inform others about the disease that affects thousands each year .
Through that effort , Williams
Experts say that exercise is a major factor in battling the progression of Parkinson ’ s Disease .
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED The board members of Parkinson ’ s In Motion pose for a picture after a presentation before the London Laurel County Chamber of Commerce .
learned that exercise is a key factor in slowing the progression of the disease - and inevitably evolved into establishing Parkinson ’ s In Motion . “ We know that exercise slows down the progression of the disease , so putting “ motion ” in there just focuses on the need to keep moving ,” Williams said .
Parkinsons ’ Disease is primarily recognized when persons affected begin having tremors , or “ shaking .” While it affects muscles and mobility , it is actually a degenerative condition of the brain that affects motor symptoms .
“ Parkinson ’ s is caused by the loss of dopamine ,” Williams said . “ It ’ s like the muscles don ’ t get the message from the brain . Usually by the time you ’ re diagnosed , 75 % of your dopamine is gone . The muscles don ’ t do their job because the extremities don ’ t get the message from the brain .”
She also learned that Parkinson ’ s Disease is one of the fastest growing diseases in the country - with a 2022 study by the Parkinson ’ s Foundation listing nearly 90,000 cases being diagnosed each year . That is a sharp