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Kat and Ken Hill sell everything to travel the country in an airstream

  1. Kat and Ken Hill sell everything to Travel the country in an airstream YOPN 47:44

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s episode of our podcast. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Kat Hill, a Davis Phinney Foundation YOPD Council Leader, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in her mid-40s. Kat’s journey with Parkinson’s began three years ago when she stopped working due to her diagnosis. It took her a good two to three months to come to terms with the reality of the situation, but then she realized she had a choice. She could either lay around and minimize her symptoms or take control of her life. And self-pity wasn’t really a good fit for her.
 
To help them navigate this “new normal,” Kat and her husband Ken started a Young Onset Parkinson’s social group and are actively building a support network of Young Onset Parkinson’s care partners. Ken, who is joining us today, is here to share his experiences as a care partner and how they are resizing their current Lifestyle and future expectations. So, sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of living with Parkinson’s disease
 
Looking to join the Young Onset Parkinson’s Network? go to https://yopnetwork.org/ to sign up for free!

My name is Michael Quaglia, and I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 42 in October 2006. For the next eight years, I worked tirelessly to climb the corporate ladder, hoping to accumulate enough wealth before the symptoms of the disease forced me into early retirement. Looking back, I wish I had made different choices.

In 2014, I stumbled upon two articles that changed the course of my life. The first was a study by the Cleveland Clinic, which found that "forced exercise" could significantly improve Parkinson's symptoms. The second was a video made by a small non-profit organization called Rock Steady Boxing, which demonstrated the benefits of non-contact boxing for people with Parkinson's.

Inspired by the potential benefits of exercise and boxing for Parkinson's patients, I dedicated my life to helping others and myself fight back against the symptoms of the disease. As a result, I have become an advocate for people with Parkinson's and an active member of the Parkinson's community.

To help get the word out in 2016 I started a Podcast "2 Mikes" with a friend Mike Achin. Seven years later we're sponsored by the Young Onset Parkinson's Network, we have numerous cohosts and our content resonates with the PD community.

Before my diagnosis, I worked as a Sales Manager for Engineering staffing agencies, but my journey with Parkinson's has led me down a different path, one in which I find fulfillment and purpose in making a positive impact on the lives of others.

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