Schaumburg Woman Living with Parkinson's Inspires Others through Fitness
Marianna James has always been a fitness enthusiast. Decades ago, she could be found sweating to the latest aerobics and kickboxing videos at home or riding bicycles with her children on local trails. Today, Marianna enjoys lifting weights, relieving stress and toning her core with the punching bag and running on the treadmill. Her long-established commitment to exercise and a healthy lifestyle is proving to be beneficial to Marianna who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) in 2017 at the age of 55.
For people with Parkinson's, research has shown exercise is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and activities of daily living. According to the Parkinson's Outcomes Project, a clinical study funded by the Parkinson's Foundation, people with PD who start exercising earlier and for a minimum of 2.5 hours a week can slow decline in quality of life compared to those who start later.
On June 12, 2021 at 2 p.m., Marianna and a friend will settle into their bicycle saddles at Lakeshore Sports & Fitness Lincoln Park as part of the Parkinson's Revolution Chicago fundraising event. The Parkinson's Foundation will host these indoor cycling events in cities across the country (in-person and virtually), offering riders of all abilities a high-energy workout that also generates funds to make lives better for people living with PD.
"People occasionally approach me at the gym to comment on my workout routine or my results," said Marianna. "When I tell them I have Parkinson's, they are always surprised, and some have encouraged my plans to become certified as a personal trainer for people with PD. I hope my dedication to a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise, a balanced diet and meditation, inspires other people to take charge of their health."
In 2016, Marianna spent nearly a year caring for her ailing parents at their home in Puerto Rico. One morning Marianna fell as she got out of bed. Immediately she was concerned, as she felt a shaking sensation on the right side of her body. She saw her father's physician and was diagnosed with extremely high blood pressure. She attributed this to stress, and put the issue aside until returning to the United States in early 2017.
Shortly after returning home to the Chicago suburbs, Marianna experienced what she thought at the time might have been a heart attack. She spent approximately one week at St. Alexius Medical Center where physicians struggled to determine the cause of her symptoms.
This started Marianna down a long path seeking answers. Eventually, she saw a neurologist, underwent several tests and scans and in the summer of 2017 was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Shocked by this news and not terribly familiar with Parkinson's, Marianna and her husband sought a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic where the diagnosis was confirmed.
Today, Marianna manages her symptoms with healthy behaviors, positivity and medication. She wakes each morning feeling stiff, but medication helps ease the discomfort and she is able to enjoy a good quality of life.
Marianna participated in the inaugural Parkinson's Revolution Chicago last year, raising more than $500 and sharing her story so people understand it is possible to be strong physically and emotionally while living with Parkinson's.
"The workout was challenging and fun, and it was motivating to be in a studio filled with people who share the common goal of finding a cure for Parkinson's," she said. To make a donation in Marianna's honor, visit http://www3.parkinson.org/goto/MarianJames.
About Parkinson's Revolution
Parkinson's Revolution is an indoor cycling experience that combines passion, determination and community to generate awareness and advance the Parkinson's Foundation's mission toward a cure. Events will take place at studios in 25 cities - an increase from seven last year - and participants may register for an in-person experience or join virtually from home.
Parkinson's Revolution USA event.
In a high-energy environment that includes music and instruction, cyclists select either a 45- or 90-minute ride as individuals or as part of a team. New this year, the virtual ride will have two options: a traditional spin class and a Parkinson's friendly class hosted by an instructor with Pedaling for Parkinson's, a program that offers stationary cycling classes for those with PD. Money raised during Parkinson's Revolution will help fund research, resources, and patient care.
To learn more about Parkinson's Revolution Chicago, visit www.parkinson.org/revolution.
About the Parkinson's Foundation
The Parkinson's Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson's community. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org.
About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder that affects dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. People with PD may experience tremors, slowness of movements (bradykinesia), gait and balance problems, and non-motor symptoms including depression, anxiety, constipation and cognitive impairment. Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year, and in Illinois, there are an estimated 30,000 people living with Parkinson' disease.