After Kilimanjaro – Trekking Upward

37. Intensive Hiking before the Volcanoes

I leave in three weeks to fly to Guatemala to embark on the mission of conquering three different volcanoes. I have been diligently training with intensive hiking treks, core exercises, and jogging for cardiac building.

The first weekend of October, I had a mini reunion with 3 other women who hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro with me. One of those is Jo Simmons who was my tent mate on Kilimanjaro and will be my partner on the Guatemala challenge. Another woman is Connie Qian who came along to hike with us and cheer us on. We hiked three days straight. The first was immediately after picking Connie and Jo up from the airport and heading straight to DuPont State Park to hike the three waterfalls trail – High Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls. It wasn’t a terribly challenging hike but did get my heart rate going and produced some sweat. Then on Friday we took on Raven’s Cliff Falls at Ceasar Head State Park in South Carolina. This was a 5.8-mile hike with 1320 ft. elevation gain. We put out some energy on this one. The hint of fall color showing off and the beautiful views were gorgeous. The third day, Laura Aldridge joined us for an arduous hike up the 535 stairs at Catawba Falls. We logged 3.8 miles and 853 ft. elevation gain for this one. The upper and lower falls were spectacular. It was a great reunion, an invigorating hiking retreat, and another event where fond memories were imbedded into our history.

This week, I went on another hiking extravaganza. A few of my hiking friends stayed in a cabin at Roan Mountain State Park in Tennessee right on the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. We hiked three days and put in some good miles with elevation gains up to 1,090 ft. Collectively for the three days we did about 11.5 miles and 2,600 ft. elevation gain. When I consider that we will be hiking over 5,000 ft. elevation gain with 8 miles in just one day of the volcano challenge, it seems like a herculean undertaking. Hopefully, we will go slowly and have a lot of time to cover the distance. I’m sure we will be starting our climbs on the difficult days at sunrise, and we will have headlamps if we are on the trail before daylight or after sunset.

I have been deeply moved by the show of support given to me with my Parkinson’s journey and my efforts to make a difference to others with this fight. I hope that I offer hope to those facing the rest of their life with PD. I want to show that there is much life to be lived after hearing the words “you have Parkinson’s Disease.” I will continue to advocate for the PD community by fundraising for research, reaching out to legislators and being engaged with my local PD community.

36. SEPTEMBER 18, 1955

Today marks the 70^th anniversary of the day I entered this world. The technology in the 1950’s was not advanced to know the sex of the baby before birth. In fact, I think a rabbit had to die to even confirm a woman’s pregnancy. Since my parents already had three boys they were hoping for a girl. As the story I heard many times over goes, there were shouts of happiness when dad delivered a baby girl. I was stubborn even at birth as I apparently didn’t want to breathe and vigorous efforts were made to stimulate me. It was a Sunday, and dad didn’t have surgeries or office hours that day but instead went out to play a golf tournament and won. The newspaper carried an article the next day about Dr. PJ Moore delivers daughter and wins at golf.

My memories go back to the late 50’s and 60’s growing up in a very different world than what is today. It is beyond amazing to remember the big console black and white TV that got three channels, had no remote so that one had to get off the couch to change channels and adjust the antenna and stopped broadcasting at midnight. Now, on a device just barley bigger than a credit card we can talk and send messages to people around the world, do our banking and business matters, take pictures and videos, store all those images, have access to a dictionary, Bible, atlas, extensive reading and listening library, get driving directions, research any subject, play games and so much more. I remember when the sound barrier was broken, John Glenn circled the earth, and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. The advances in medical technology make old episodes of Star Trek seem prophetic as well as devices Dick Tracey and Get Smart used.

But what I don’t remember when I was young were many people with Parkinson’s Disease. There was an elderly gentleman in our community who had it. When I was in college, I knew my 80-year-old grandfather had it. My mom brought him from his home in Ohio to our place in North Carolina to take care of him and did a lot to rehabilitate him so that he could walk some. He died when he was 82 and I had recently graduated from college.

Today, there are many individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. It is estimated that 90,000 people in the US will be diagnosed this year and 15 % of them early onset – younger than 50 years old. As of now, the worldwide estimate of people with PD is 10 million. It is taking over Alzheimer’s Disease as the leading neurological disorder. So, what is causing this trend?

In the last few months, I have read several articles about the risk of environmental toxins. The finger is pointed directly at Paraquat, an herbicide used to kill weeds and help lawns to look beautiful, as well as in agriculture. The dangers of living near a golf course and playing golf are being documented with alarming statistics raising one’s risk for PD. Other chemicals are being implicated as well like Trichloroethylene (TCE) used as a solvent and in dry cleaning fluid. There are other herbicides, pesticides, metals and organic pollutants as well. Some articles are indicating that PD may be largely preventable if these pollutants and toxins were banned. Of course, there are genetic risks and traumatic head injury that contribute too.

I do a lot of online reading and research to learn what I can about how to live life well with a diagnosis of PD. There are many products, devices, supplements, and how-to plans out there that offer some help with symptoms. Of course, the medication Sinemet or carbo/levodopa is the primary medication as well as a lot of others that help control symptoms. But the only proven way to slow down the progress of the disease is to engage in vigorous, heart-raising, sweat producing exercise for at least 30 minutes three or four times a week. I don’t get in as much as I need to every week but make a big effort to be out there trying to slow down this debilitating disease.

Since I have committed to hiking three volcanoes in Guatemala as a fundraising event for the Michael J Fox Foundation in November, I am trying to make an extra effort to be in shape. These events serve several purposes for me. They give me incentive to stay active and strive for being shape. I have found a wonderful support group in the Fox community. It has given me a way to reach others to offer hope, inspiration, awareness and show just what exercise can do. It has also given me a way to be a part of the solution by raising funds for research. One hundred percent of the funds I have raised through events I have participated in with the MJFF go to research. I could write more about the fantastic efforts of the MJFF as they do so much to provide information, raise awareness, work to advance legislation on behalf of the PD community and so much more.

So as fall rolls in and I prepare for this monumental adventure, watch for me on the trails. I’ve recently been to the summit of Table Rock in SC and many other peaks in the mountains of Western North Carolina. A few days a week I’m out jogging in my neighborhood. I’m doing core exercises like push up and sit-ups. And lately, I’ve been doing a lot of yard work pulling weeds, dividing plants, hauling mulch. I’m going to get to the top of those volcanoes!

https://give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/6315010

35. What’s Driving Me to take on Guatemala

In three months, I will be in Guatemala already embarked on my quest to climb three volcanoes. This will be an effort in endurance, perseverance, strength and courage. I have been wondering lately what is driving me to do this. I think I just might be crazy! Let me assure you that it is not to bring attention to myself. I wish every day that I did not have a neurogenerative disorder, and certainly not one who’s symptoms are very visible and disabling. I have been considering the answer lies party in the foundation of my upbringing.

I was the only girl with four brothers raised by the two most hard-working parents I have ever known. That was the kind of hardworking where they were up before dawn and worked till way past sundown. Mom was raised on a dairy farm in Ohio where the cows had to be milked twice a day every day of the year. In-between the milking sessions the farmer has lots of chores to do and feed to grow for the cows. My dad was a surgeon at a small mountain hospital where he was literally on call 24/7 all year long. Mom wrote a chore list for each child every day except Saturday which in our household was the Sabbath. Sometimes, she would tell us to get all our chores done and she would take us swimming for an hour of so at the neighborhood pond. The core family value was to be industrious and do your best at whatever you set out to do. They were purpose driven parents that instilled that feature into the very fabric of their five children. We learned how to work hard, play hard, and to be servants to others.

I lived a full and rich life traveling to destinations near and far, taking up sports like backpacking, scuba diving, snow skiing, hiking and racquetball. I’ve also gone on several humanitarian trips to third world countries to provide medical care where the needs are overwhelming. When I diagnosed myself with PD at the age of 61, I wasn’t about to lay down and roll over. I wanted to do everything I could to slow down or end the progression of what it was doing to my body. I was already very physically active but now I made it a necessary part of weekly life. I never smoked, ate a mostly plant-based diet with much of the produce homegrown in our organic garden, drank alcohol very sparingly, and did other things pertinent to a healthy lifestyle.

When I retired at 65 from my postgraduate healthcare career, there was no question what my new mission and purpose would be. I decided to go public about my diagnosis by undertaking a grand journey to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. I had and still have the goal of bringing awareness about PD, inspiring others, and raising funds for research to end this dreaded disease. After I survived climbing to 19,341 ft. elevation what next?

Sometimes, I think I project how well a person can live with this disabling disease that I may be camouflaging what daily life is really like. It is a movement disorder so everything that involves movement is affected. From blinking my eyes, chewing food, putting on clothes, swinging my arms when I walk, the adaption my pupil makes to accommodate to changes in light, the activity of my GI tract, turning over in bed, and cooking are some of the things I deal with. My speech has become softer, I choke at times, my gait can be off when I walk, and standing in one place for any length of time is difficult. I can’t seem to get my smile right anymore. There are numerous chores around the house and yard, and so much more that affect my everyday life. But it is not just movement that is affected. There are many nonmovement symptoms that make life difficult and unpleasant. My sense of smell was diminished many years before my diagnosis. Imagine not being able to smell bread baking in the oven, the fragrance of fresh flowers, newly mown grass, or evergreens at Christmas. I can’t enjoy the aroma of fresh brewed coffee or the scent of a new baby. And in our house, I can’t smell the fresh aroma of Sunday tomato sauce. I also can’t smell soured milk or spoiled food and other odors that alert me to potential dangers. My nose will start dripping for no reason and without warning. REM sleep disorder is very common for people with PD. I have vivid dreams and at times, wake myself and my husband up with screams of terror. I sweat more profusely than before PD. But the worst nonmovement concern is difficulty with mood regulation. Anything stressful is more difficult to manage and anger outbursts are another characteristic of it. Depression goes hand in hand with PD. I fear I am losing my personality and friends will not understand my need to keep things on a level field emotionally.

At my first appointment with my Movement Disorder Specialist, he told me the good news is that PD doesn’t cause death nor shortchange life expectancy. But it does chip away at what makes one who they are. It robs so much from daily life. People are more prone to falls and other health risks which can cause life changing injury. It robs one of their sense of identity and their ability to be active and social. It’s like watching your life evanesce, as steam from a slowly simmering pot of tea disseminates into the air.

So, what’s next for me? I want to continue to live a full and vibrant life. I still want to inspire others with what can be accomplished with determination. And I want to raise funds for research. The Michael J Fox Foundation has the number one goal of finding a cure or way to end PD. Watchdog rating groups that score foundations give the Michael J Fox Foundation an A+ rating. Their research department is doing amazing work, and this has resulted in greater understanding of PD and breakthroughs that are already helping those of us with the disease. PD is surpassing Alzheimer’s as the leading neurogenerative disorder. If PD hasn’t already touched you, a loved one, or an acquaintance, you likely will be touched personally by it in your lifetime. If you would like to be part of the cure, I invite you to contribute to my fundraising campaign. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the donations go directly to research. As for me, I will continue to fight the fight.

https://give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/6315010

33. MY STORY PART #2

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE BIRTHDAY

I am conquering the 3 Volcano Challenge with Team Fox

I am really excited about joining the Michael J Fox Team of Endurance Athletes again this year. In honor of turning 70 in September, I have decided to celebrate by taking on a new challenge. It will be a trek in Guatemala that includes three impressive volcano ascents. An undoubted highlight is sleeping on the side of 13,000ft Acatenango Volcano as the lava erupts from Fuego Volcano right before us. We also visit the impressive caldera lake of Atitlan and tackle a summit of the impressive Atitlan Volcano. This is a day trekking journey, across a wide variety of climates, including higher altitudes, and challenging days. We will climb over 10,000 ft. elevation gain in just one week. There is one day where the climb will require a 5000 ft. elevation gain. It isn’t the challenge of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro but will test my endurance, nonetheless.

In 2017 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. I learned early on the value of hard, vigorous exercise in delaying the progress of PD. Then in 2023 I became public about my diagnosis by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with 8 other climbers. It was an ambitious effort and was really hard for sure. I didn’t know if I could ever do a trek like that again. But, It changed my life and has inspired many who have PD and even those who don’t. It has also been an avenue to spread awareness. So, I want another challenge. Some of the hikers who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro will also be on this climb. It is our passion to fund research and end PD, that drives us.

More than 6 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s — the second most common neurological disorder. In the United States, approximately 90,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year alone with about 15% of those being individuals under the age of 50. I invite you to be a part of finding better treatments and eventually a cure by supporting my fundraising campaign. One hundred percent of all funds raised for this effort go directly to research. Together, we can make a difference and end this disease forever.

This is the link to my fundraising page –

https://give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/6315010

32. A Dream come True

I finished my first year of college in the spring of 1974. Instead of planning a fun summer, I decided to take a gap year before my second year of college. The school I attended had church affiliated programs in connection with the church’s international efforts where students could spend a year in different countries of the world working in various capacities. I accepted a position to be an English language conversation and pronunciation teacher in Seoul, South Korea. So, at the age of 18, I took my first commercial flight and traveled halfway around the world to reach Kimpo Airport in Seoul. At that time, there were no computers, cell phones, Wi-Fi, Facebook, or Facetime. One could make long distance phone calls, but they were expensive so my only means of communicating with my very trusting parents was by snail mail. It took about two weeks for a letter to reach home. That year was a pivotal year in my life. It broadened my world view and gave me confidence in myself. But it also sparked my love for travel and seeing the magnificent world we call Earth.

Over the years I have traveled to many fantastic destinations and seen many wonders. When I was diagnosed with PD in 2017, I realized that the sands in my hourglass had an endpoint to my mobility. I was determined to make the most of the time I had left and do what I could to slow the progress of PD. I made a commitment to living fully and vibrantly and taking charge of my situation. I now looked at my hiking and healthy lifestyle choices as requirements to extending my mobility and slowing the sands from pouring through the hole in the hourglass. Just a few weeks ago I got the opportunity to realize one of my dreams – to see the glory of the Aurora Borealis.

I began working on this trip about a year ago. I researched to find the best place, the best time of year, the best phase of the moon, and the best tour company to realize my dream. Once I had those factors decided, I recruited friends to join me on this journey. So, on February 19, 2025, four of my friends and I, flew out of Raleigh, NC to go to Reykjavik, Iceland to begin an 8-day northern lights tour around the island. We flew out of Raleigh amidst a very rare for Raleigh, snowstorm. After arriving in Iceland the next morning, our first stop was at the Blue Lagoon. It is a hot thermal mineral baths spa that was amazing and a great way to relax after a long travel. The next day we were guided on a walking tour of the city by a local Icelander who told us about the history of Iceland and showed us around Reykjavik partly in the rain.

Then on Saturday, February 22, we started our 8-day minibus tour. There were 16 tourists and one guide on our tour. They included Francesca and Tom from England, Alex and Luna from Singapore, Gustavo and Bety from Mexico, Megan and Melissa from California, Jin and Min from South Korea, Damien from Australia, and our group of five – Betsy and her sister Margaret (Marg), Joy and me from Asheville, and Susan from Ft. Myers, FL. In no time we were all friends and having a wonderful vacation together. We saw gorgeous waterfalls, glaciers, snow covered mountains, beautiful sunsets, black sand beaches and rocky terrain of lava fields. We trekked on a glacier, explored an ice cave, delved into the depths of a lava tube, rode Icelandic horses, went whale watching, saw a geyser and other hot spots and geothermal vents, and soaked our tired bodies in two different hot mineral baths. We even did the cold plunge into the icy waters of a partially frozen lake. We ate fantastic food and met the warm, friendly and kind Icelanders. We learned about the history of Iceland and did so much more. It was an awesome time, made even better by our fantastic guide – Johann. He is a native Icelander and told great stories and knew all the best places to take us. He is first rate and made our trip just about perfect.

About midweek we had seen some faint signs of the lights, and some had gotten up at 3:00 a.m. to see a good show but I still hadn’t seen what I had hoped for. It was a crystal-clear night in Akureyri and after eating dinner some of us decided to go to the local hot baths to see if we would get lucky to see the lights. The prediction showed we had a good chance of seeing them. We waited about two hours when a wisp of haze appeared in the sky. Through the lens of the camera, we could see the green light but not with our naked eyes. A native Icelander in the baths with us told us to wait, they would be coming soon. She was right. It was like the sky opened and this tube of fluorescent green light emerged in the sky. We were awestruck as we watched the show of light snake around in the sky and at times its tail would shred into ribbons. It was fascinating to see how it would dance and curve around in different directions. It was so very bright and vivid. I could have watched it for hours, but the spa was closing soon, and we had to leave. When we left the spa showered and dry, the magical light in the sky had disappeared again. But I had gotten to see them and realize a dream of a lifetime.

At the end of the tour, we said goodbye to the friends with which we had experienced so much wonder. We vowed to stay in touch and invitations were given to visit each other in their home countries. Who knows, maybe I’ll be traveling to England, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, or California one of these days. My friendship with the four women who joined me in my personal group was strengthened even more. I am so grateful to them for going with me on my quest. My determination to preserve movement was made even stronger. There is so much to see, do, experience and people to share it all with. The effort to keep pressing on is worth it. At times the depression that often accompanies PD snags me too. But memories of being on the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, or reaching the vista point at the top of Angel’s Landing, seeing the Aurora Borealis, and feeling the warmth of family and friends is there to keep me going. PD never lets up. It is there every day all day long. I know that in the end it will win this tug-of-war I’m in with it. But I’m going to dig in my heels and make it work for it’s victory.

Thank you to all the many friends and family who support me with your love, kindness, patience and encouragement as I travel on. I have my eyes set on a new goal for this year. The Michael J Fox Foundation is sponsoring a fundraising event to climb three volcanoes in Guatemala in November. It will not be the challenge of Mt. Kilimanjaro, but it will be difficult with daily hikes traversing straight up volcanic scree trails. One of the days has the group getting up at sunrise to ascend 5,000 feet elevation. I will be working on getting signed up for this event soon so you can be on the lookout for the information about it. While it is a fundraising event to find a cure for PD, it is so much more than that to me. I have found a valuable community in the PD world through my MJFF efforts. It also gives me a goal and incentive to keep going. It gives me opportunity to spread awareness about PD and inspire others. All fundraising efforts are meant to be totally voluntary with no pressure to donate. Your encouragement and support is sufficient enough. I am truly blessed as I keep trekking upward.

31. Reset for 2025

January seems like a good time to hit a reset button. Last year, 2024, was a difficult year to be sure. Jay, my husband and I lost several friends and family members including his brother-in-law Jeff. Other friends and family members were dealing with difficult health issues. I stood by several girlfriends who were going through the difficulty of losing a parent. And then there was Hurricane Helene! The onslaught of destruction was massive, widespread across the mountains of Western North Carolina, catastrophic, and indescribable. While we were spared any damage to our property or home, many of our family and friends had lots of damage and loss. We were without power for over a week and had no running water for several weeks. When we did get water, it was discolored and not drinkable. We still refrain from drinking water from the tap although it is clear, odorless and declared potable. It will take decades if not centuries for the mountains to recover from the massive number of trees downed, the reshaping of the streams, rivers and waterfalls, and the landslides. The toll of many deaths, displacement from homes, loss of businesses and jobs, is ongoing and there is still a feeling of despair in these mountains. Roads still need to be reconstructed and there remains much debris reminding of us the unfathomable power of nature. So yes, for me I need a reset.

For starters, I ran a 10K on behalf of the Michael J Fox Foundation last week at Walt Disney World. It was good to connect with others supporting the cause of finding a cure for PD. I was impressed with the comradery among the group of participants and their families. I had a woman who was running in memory of her father who graciously stuck with me the entire run. She was my pace setter, and I couldn’t have had a better partner. She made the race fun and kept me going. We crossed the finish line together with jubilation. Thanks Kelly Morris.

I plan to continue hiking and planning hikes for my hiking group. Many of the trails are still closed due to trees obstructing the paths but it has been amazing how many have been cleared. Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway remain closed making access to many of the nearby trails impossible. But there are lots of places yet to go and it will be interesting to see how things have changed. The members of my hiking group have been very supportive of both my hikes and my journey with PD. I’m very grateful to have them in my life.

I plan to continue my advocacy for the MJFF (Michael J Fox Foundation) by sharing my story as opportunities arise. The highlight of the year was having our group of nine who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro selected to be the keynote feature at the MJFF MVP Awards Gala in NYC last April. I was honored to be one of the featured speakers. I was able to give several presentations of our climb to support groups and local interest groups. I was also invited to be a panelist at a seminar put on by the MJFF in Charlotte last October. Next November, I have my eyes set on another climb. This time it will be to hike three volcanoes in Guatemala in November. It will not be as difficult as climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro as it will be mostly day trekking at altitudes below 13,000 ft. There is one day where we will make a 5000 ft. elevation gain though. So, be on the lookout for my fundraising campaign that I hope to launch later this year.

Sadly, I have discovered that not everyone supports my advocacy and fundraising efforts for the MJFF. Some have voiced to me that they would never support anyone who seeks to raise funds by accomplishing athletic feats for a cause. They question the integrity of the MJFF and the research they fund. It has been difficult to realize that there will be friends, even close friends, that I may have to distance myself from since this has become a big part of my life. It has been equally difficult to realize that not everyone is going to be there for me as I manage life with PD. When I was first diagnosed, I was fearful that people might see me as damaged or needy. While my network of support is vast and strong it has been difficult to experience one or two close friends who have not been there for me when I have reached out to them. Those experiences make me want to withdraw and hide what life with PD is like. It makes me not want to share my personal struggles living every day with diminished dopamine levels. The posts I have written in my narrative put a positive perspective on what I experience. And to be truthful, I am doing very well and have a high level of function. My outlook is good and my willingness to fight for quality of life is strong. I want to inspire people with what can be accomplished by taking charge of one’s life, not show the reality or the downside of PD. But living with PD has daily struggles that I tend to hide from others. I feel like I am in a tug of war with it and sometimes I’m winning and sometimes PD is pulling me closer to the line. Maybe as I come to accept my difficulties, I can be more willing to share them with others. Maybe if I am willing to be authentic I can inspire others with PD to be open about their diagnosis. Maybe I can be more effective in supporting others and show those without PD how to offer comfort, empathy, and understanding to their friends and family members who have PD.

So, as I look to reset my goals and priorities for 2025 I want to make a difference in many ways. I want to advocate better for the people like me who have PD. I want to bring better awareness to those who don’t understand what PD is and how it can affect one’s life and struggles. I want to continue to fight for vibrant living. I want to make a difference.

30. One Year Later

Just one year ago I was in Tanzania, Africa with a team of nine individuals who were destined to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease Research. I think about my climb almost every day of my life. My reflections vary from day to day. Sometimes I think about the beauty of the natural features in the four climate zones we had to trek through. The scrubby brush of the moorland was speckled with beautiful flowers and fun rock formations. Even in the desolation of the alpine desert and arctic zones there was great beauty. The sunrise at over 18,000 ft. was spectacular! The view of the world below from 19,341 ft. was breathtaking. The flowers and vegetation particularly around the oases were very pretty. The rain forest with it’s dense greenery and moss hanging from the limbs and the black and white colobus monkeys were unusual and fun. The clarity of the stars at night was awesome and made me feel small yet very connected to the universe at the same time. The feeling of reaching the summit at 19,341 ft. was overwhelming and exhilerating. I felt like I had been awarded an Olympic gold medal. But at other times I reflect on how arduous the week of camping in small tents, using primitive toileting equipment, sleeping on a thin pad and dealing with the ever present dust was. Hiking in thin air was very taxing and on summit night it was freezing cold. Sometimes, I relive how difficult it was to breathe while climbing steep grades covered in scree.

But, I feel the part of the trek that has stayed with me the most is the level of comraderie that I developed with the other 8 hikers and with the crew. Our group of 9 has stayed in close touch with each other all year and frequently text one another. Some of us have gotten together in person to reminisce and share time together. We fondly call ourselves the “Kili 9”. Four of us are planning to be together on August 14, the one year anniversary of reaching summit. I’m sure we will have fun recalling various aspects and moments of our climb. We’ll undoubtedly talk about events in our lives over the past year and plans for the coming year. The bonds of the relationships are very strong and offer a high level of support. Many of us have stayed in contact with certain key members of our crew. Jo even organized getting some of the crew into guide school and English classes so they could apply to guide school. She also organized getting a huge amount of clothing and gear to our guides and porters who so kindly took great care of us on our expedition.

I continue to be involved with the Fox Foundation. I participated in a 10K at Walt Disney World on it’s behalf this past January with plans to do so again this coming January. We were honored to be the keynote feature at their MVP Awards Gala event held in NYC this past April. I remain in touch with some of the staff at the Fox Foundation. Who knows. I may do another climb with them next year but not Kilimanjaro again. I’ve been there and done that.

I have given presentations of my climb to various groups with more scheduled. People have been very receptive to my story and have been very supportive. I will continue to advocate for those affected by Parkinson’s disease. I also continue to plan weekly hikes for my group of hikers. It has been an incredible year of life changing experiences. I will continue to live life fully and vibrantly as long as I can. I just need to remember to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Thanks to all who have supported me in many ways as I travel this journey with Parkinsons’ Disease. May each of you find your way to live life to the fullest.

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I’m still fundraising so if you feel impressed to contribute to my campaign here’s the link:

https://give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/5438589

29. The Michael J Fox Foundation MVP Awards Gala

Every year in April, the Michael J Fox Foundation hosts an awards gala to acknowledge the top fundraisers of the previous year. Since our group of nine who summited Mt. Kilimanjaro raised over $150,000.00 collectively, we were all invited to attend the MVP Awards Gala and bring a guest. Not only were we invited to attend the gala, which is held in New York City, but we were asked to be the keynote feature for the event. Of the nine of us on the team, seven were able to attend the gala. Betty Frances Thomason, the 19-year-old, and I representing the oldest on the team and one who has Parkinson’s, were selected to make the primary remarks on behalf of the team. Betty and I agreed on a back-and-forth dialogue format for making our speech. We worked hard to hone our remarks to be encompassing yet concise. We were originally given seven minutes to speak but this proved to be too difficult, and we ended up having about 20 minutes. Jo Simmons and Kristen Gillan also were to speak about the efforts we made to give back to the guides and porters who so kindly cared for us on our trek.

I booked my trip to fly out of Asheville around noon on the Friday of the gala weekend. While sitting at the gate waiting to board my flight to Newark airport in New Jersey, an announcement was made that the flight would be delayed due to an earthquake in New Jersey halting all flights into Newark airport. After more than one announcement about when our flight would leave, the airline representative made an abrupt announcement that we would be boarding in 10 minutes. Apparently, an opening allowing our flight to land had just occurred and we needed to be on the plane, settled in our seats and ready to take off in about 20 minutes. I have never seen a flight get all the passengers on board and buckled in as fast as we did that afternoon. Fortunately, this would now have me into New York in time for the Meet and Greet gathering the Fox Foundation was hosting for all the attendees of the gala. Jo Simmons who lives in Jersey City which is just across the New York harbor, picked me up and we made it to the Meet and Greet in time to mingle and enjoy reconnecting with our group as well as meet staff from the Fox Foundation and other fundraisers too.

On Saturday morning, we were treated to breakfast and then a symposium in which researchers from the Fox Foundation discussed lots of information about the research being done and the strides that had been made in 2023. Thanks to the Fox Foundation’s research efforts, a newly discovered biomarker was discovered. This is a test that can be done on spinal fluid or skin biopsies which will definitively diagnose PD. This has great implications for future research efforts as now the subjects in the study can be conclusively diagnosed with PD. Before this discovery, PD was a subjective diagnosis. There are other implications for this discovery, but I will not discuss all the great work that has been done toward finding better understanding, treatments and eventually a cure for PD.

The gala itself started at 4:00 p.m. that Saturday afternoon. We had fun getting gussied up for the formal event. It almost felt like getting ready for a high school prom. It was amazing how good we all looked in dress up clothes, hair and makeup done, and big smiles on our faces. I had purchased a pair of black glittery, rubber soled flats to wear with my sparkly dress. I wanted to feel more secure with my footing than I thought high heels would give me.

The order of events had awards presented to the top ten fundraisers first. Then there were some special acknowledgements and remarks from the President/CEO of the Foundation. We were to be the last segment of the program. Just before we were to go on stage I had a big urge to go to the bathroom. Katie, our contact at the Fox Foundation told me to make it fast. As I returned to the auditorium our group was already making their way to the stage. I made it just in time and walked from the back of the room straight to the platform. Whew!

This is the YouTube link to the actual remarks. https://youtu.be/1-lt2X9JJ94

The next morning, we gathered outdoors for a Fun Run along the Hudson River with many members of the Fox Foundation and other fundraisers. It was a beautiful day and the skyline of Jersey City and Hoboken across the river was magnificent. Our group gathered one last time for breakfast together before heading back to our homes. I stayed on a day longer to spend more time with Jo at her home. The next day was Monday, April 8 and New York was in the pathway of a partial solar eclipse. Jo took me walking along the Highline and to the Island to see beautiful flowers and views of NYC. Then we watched a partial eclipse from Liberty State Park on the New York harbor in Jersey City. On the way back to Jo’s we stopped at an Italian bakery as I wanted to bring some delights home to my husband Jay. The next day Jo took me to Newark airport where I boarded my flight back to Asheville. It had been a thrilling and exciting time attending the gala, spending time in New York and best of all seeing the group I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with. My life is forever changed and I will be forever grateful for all the Michael J Fox Foundation has done for me and all those dealing with PD.

My next venture is to run a 10K at Walt Disney World in January 2025 with the MJFF of course. My fundraising page is up and running.

https://give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/5438589

28. Update on Life after Kilimanjaro

It’s been seven months since I came home from Africa. The journey to 19,341 ft along with the long flight home and ensuing jet lag took a lot out of me. My recovery took at least a month or more. To be honest, I’m not sure I’ll ever be back to where I was before the climb. I have resumed a normal life though. I continue to hike weekly and plan outings for my hiking club. We’ve gone to some very beautiful destinations here in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. Just this week we went to the Green River Gamelands State Park and hiked along the Green River. The trail was abundant with the emerging spring blooms including Jack-in the- Pulpits, Bloodroots, Sweet Betsy Trilliums, and others. I am grateful for every day I can get out and walk and hike on my own two feet.

I continue to be an advocate for the Parkinson’s community. I have a 60-minute power point presentation of my climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro that I have presented three times with more engagements on my calendar. I’m seeking further opportunities to give this presentation so if you can help me find speaking engagements, I would appreciate your help. I also went to Walt Disney World in January and participated in a 10K event on behalf of the Michael J Fox Foundation.

Our group of nine who summited Mt. Kilimanjaro last August have been invited to be the keynote feature of the Michael J Fox Foundation’s MVP Awards Gala in New York City on April 6. I will be speaking at the event along with others from our group. I feel truly humbled and honored to be part of this happening. The climb changed my life forever. I experienced the majesty of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a magnificent natural wonder. I watched the sunrise from over 18,000 feet. I saw the stars and Milk Way as I’d never seen them. I felt connected to a greater force outside myself like I have never experienced before. I found a new family there. I became part of an organization making a difference in this world. And I have a connection to the people of Tanzania.

I want to give you an update for those who contributed gear and funds to help our guides and porters who took care of us with kindness, respect, professionalism, and concern for our safety. Jo and Kristen, two of the women who climbed, are in Tanzania now and delivered a mountain of items to the staff. They were grateful beyond words for the boots, sleeping bags, water bottles, socks, jackets, pants, shirts, hats, and other items that will make their trips up the mountain safer and more comfortable. Some did not have the clothing to keep warm or shoes to make their footing safer. They shared water bottles. Some didn’t have a sleeping bag to stay warm at night. Many of you made a real difference in their lives and they want to say a huge thank you. I want to thank you too. This is what life is about – helping others along the way and sharing the journey.

20. Jet Lag! – August 23

I arrived in Asheville on Friday evening August 18 around 7:00 p.m. I was slow getting off the small jet and then made a stop at the restroom. I must have missed my bag at the luggage pickup carousel. After waiting a very long time for all the bags to appear, I discovered mine was missing. I had a tracking device in it so I knew it was at the airport. After checking with the main counter at American Airlines, I found it had been sent there and I was able to retrieve it and be on my way home. My husband had planned to take me out to eat on the way, but after 40 plus hours in transit, I just wanted to go home. There was food to eat in our frig, then a shower, and off to bed. The next morning he decided to go to church and after he left I collapsed into the bed and fell into a deep sleep for several hours. When I awoke, I just wanted to eat again and go back to bed. On Sunday morning, my suitcase, daypack, and carryon were still sitting unopened in the foyer. I decided to tackle the job of unpacking, doing laundry, sorting out the souvenirs I’d brought home and begin the process of settling back into life in North Carolina. I discovered that the garden had exploded with an overabundance of produce while I was gone. The tomatoes, blueberries, basil, cucumbers from our garden and sweet corn from the family farm were needing attention. It is now Wednesday morning, August 23 and I have accomplished much of the unpacking, sorting through the mail, and am still working on the garden produce. If you’ve ever put up sweet corn, you know it is a lot of work and my dear brother David, and his wife Julie worked very hard to process all I wanted and bring it to our house where all we had to do was box it up and put it in the freezer. But, I am still waking up a 3:00 a.m. and wanting to sleep a lot. Last night I fell asleep on the couch and when I woke up I couldn’t figure out where I was or what time it was or what was going on. I think I fell back asleep and when I woke up again decided to find my way to my bedroom, brush my teeth and crawl in bed. But once again I am awake at 3:00 a.m. This readjustment has been difficult and I hope resolves soon.

Yesterday afternoon, I had an interview with our local news network, WLOS 13. I had met with Marvin Parker of the sports section before the trip and he wanted to do a follow up piece upon my return. When he started the interview, I began shivering. This is not like a typical Parkinson tremor. It happens when I am stressed, or tired, or cold, or hungry, or hot. Marvin was really nice, very polite and interested in my story but I can’t remember what I said. It is a blur. I am hoping my message about why I did this incredible trip came across. I wanted pepople to know that the number one reason for climbing to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro was for fundraising for the Michael J Fox Foundation. It’s number one mission is to find a cure for PD. All of us in the PD community and those with family members or friends who they know personally with the diagnosis, want to end this disease. Research and development is very expensive and the Fox Foundation has funded an incredible amount of research that is already helping those with PD. Michael J Fox has been and continues to be a very inspirational giant in the quest to conquer PD. Second, I want to help change the stigma associated with PD. While it is a neurodegenerative disease, many people can live vibrant, productive lives before they get to the last few chapters of their story. They need not see themselves or others as damaged for many years yet to live. I want to inspire people to take charge of their life and not surrender easily to powerlessness but to fight for what is worth fighting for. And thirdly, I want to bring awareness about the signs and symptoms of PD so that people with and without the disease can be aware of possible indications of PD. This might help someone take action to slow the progression of PD or seek medical help that can give them relief and improve the quality of their life. Hey, I’m a 67 almost 68 year old woman with PD who just reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. If I can do that, then maybe I can inspire others to get off the couch. Maybe I can urge them on to take charge of their life and live vibrantly. Maybe I can get them moving as the best way to preserve movement is to keep moving. Maybe I can have an impact in someone’s life. That would make it all worth what I have done.

On a side note – the one legged stance with hands held up above my head is to symbolize finding balance in life while reaching up to attain lofty goals and aspirations.