Mount Prospect couple walks the walk to support Parkinson’s Foundation
Not wanting people to feel sorry for him, Mount Prospect resident Sam Mekky at first kept his diagnosis of Parkinsonism to himself.
But he eventually began opening up, and on Sunday, he and his wife Michelle Mekky led a team at the Parkinson’s Foundation’s annual walk in Chicago that raised nearly $15,000.
Their team, Sam’s Movers and Shakers, brought about 25 participants to the foundation’s 15th annual Moving Day Chicago walk for Parkinson’s in Lincoln Park.
“For a first-year team, that is really amazing,” said Kerrie McKeough, advancement director for the Midwest Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation, adding that teams typically raise only a few thousand dollars in their first event.
“So for them to raise that much money their first year is just truly incredible,” she said.
Parkinsonism is an umbrella term for brain and neurological conditions that cause symptoms such as tremors, slowness and stiffness.
For the 62-year-old Mekky, the first sign was a tremor in his left hand. It became especially noticeable after he underwent a knee replacement procedure.
“I thought it was part of knee recovery, but my orthopedic surgeon said that’s got nothing to do with it,” he said.
He was referred to a neurologist, and then a specialist who gave him the diagnosis about two years ago.
“It was kind of a shock, and I didn’t know how to react,” said Sam, who works in technology sales.
Eventually, he got in touch with a fellow patient, a motivational speaker who is active in the Parkinson’s Foundation.
He also began reading an inspirational book by Robert Baittie, “Tremors in the Universe: A Personal Journey of Discovery with Parkinson’s Disease and Spirituality.”
“That’s what changed my whole outlook,” Mekky said.
Sam now manages the condition with a medication called Crexont. He also walks three miles, three times a week and performs strength exercises.
He feels tremors once in a while when the medication wears off, and has noticed a slowing of his motor skills and some soreness. But Mekky said keeping active makes a huge difference.
Gradually, Michelle Mekky said, her husband came to realize the diagnosis was not a death sentence and there is a lot more life to be had and ways to take care of himself that will help.
He also decided to involve himself in the Moving Day effort.
“I think something snapped in Sam, to say I want to live and I want to take care of myself and I want to tell everyone and feel the support,” Michelle said. “And so (Sunday) was just unbelievable for us.”
About 1,000 people attended the event, which has raised about $432,000 thus far. The Chicago walk is the largest fundraiser of the Moving Day walks.
The money goes toward supporting the foundation’s work, which is to improve the lives of people living with the condition. The work includes education, ensuring quality care and investing in research. The website www.parkinson.org has free resources, including books, podcasts, webinars and in-person education events.
With the walk behind him, Mekky said he is making sure he is involved in his family’s life — he and Michelle have two adult children — and the couple plans to visit different NFL stadiums, which has been on his bucket list.
szalusky@dailyherald.com