As an athlete, I’ve always known how important it is to take time to rest and recover. You’re stronger when you do. 

This became even more clear to me when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We often talk about “on time” with PD (it’s even the name of our podcast). “On time” is when you’re feeling good and able to do the things you want to do. A hard lesson I’ve had to learn is to not overdo it on my on time. 

This lesson is on my mind as we wrap up our 12th Annual Shake It Till We Make It Gala and start looking forward to the 6th World Parkinson Congress happening in Barcelona this July. It may come as a surprise to learn that I actually have a really difficult time public speaking. When I get nervous, my symptoms flare, which makes me self-conscious and creates a perpetuating cycle of anxiety and fear. It takes a lot out of me to go up on a stage. 

The crowd at the gala this year made it easy and fun, for which I’m grateful. BUt I know that in the coming weeks I need to take time to rest, relax, and recover before we head to Barcelona. 

One of my favorite ways to rest is to be in community with other folks living with Parkinson’s. There’s no pressure to perform or hide symptoms when you’re with friends who also have PD. Forming my own group of peers, the Movers & Shakers, has been one of the best things that happened to me on my journey with Parkinson’s and was a huge inspiration for me in starting the Brian Grant Foundation. They remind me to slow down and do the important work of letting my mind and body recover as I live a full life with Parkinson’s disease. 

I hope you have restful plans for the start of summer and find comfort in the community we’ve created at BGF. 

Brian’s Corner is brought to you by Amneal.