16 Fox Focus | Community
Community
Events Bring
“Education for
Empowerment”
When Larry Gifford was diagnosed with young-
onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) in August
2017 at age 47, he had a lot of questions. He
remembers, “After the deer-in-the-headlights
phase which immediately followed my
diagnosis with PD, I found I had an insatiable
appetite for information. What should I eat?
How important is exercise? What should I
expect from my neurologist appointments?
Why am I so exhausted all the time? And on
and on.”
This fall, The Michael J. Fox Foundation
(MJFF) hit the road with the goal of bringing
answers to empower people living with PD and
their care partners. “Parkinson’s IQ + You,” is
a new series of free, educational events held in
major cities across the United States. Designed
for people at every stage of their journey
with PD and representing the diversity of the
Parkinson’s community, interactive sessions
educate attendees on what to know, ask and
expect when seeing a movement disorder
specialist, building your care team for your
body and mind, and taking charge of PD by
turning education into action, to name a few.
Additionally, attendees can learn about the
latest research, get tips for managing the
disease, and connect with local resources to
help navigate life with PD at a Partner Expo
that coincides with each event.
As a seasoned broadcaster, podcast host and
MJFF Patient Council member, Gifford has
signed on to serve as moderator and emcee for
several of the events. He says, “I’m excited to
be a part of Parkinson’s IQ + You. In one day,
we are offering people living with Parkinson’s
and care partners more information about