It was only the second time I ever saw my dad cry. He walked in the front door of our home in Reedley, California and told me, “I have Parkinson’s Disease.”
He’d had a relative who had Parkinson’s Disease, so he knew well what it does. It’s a degenerative neurological disease that does terrible things to the body. Over the past several years, we’ve watched as it has taken its toll on my dad. Through it all, he’s managed to stay in good spirits and provide us all with a good example of strong faith and resilience in the midst of adversity. In some ways, I think his spirit may be stronger than ever, though his body is weak.
All the same, how many times we’ve all wished and prayed for a cure!
In America alone, more than half a million people are affected with this disease. At least six million around the world have been diagnosed with it. I’m sure they’re all hoping and praying for a cure.
But is a cure possible?
Prominent neurologists believe it is. In the 1980s, a doctor named Bill Langston made a breakthrough that opened up several promising avenues of investigation into the causes of Parkinson’s. Since then, prominent researchers such as Dr. Langston, Dr. Jeffrey Kordower and Duke University researcher, Miquel Nicolelis, have made great strides toward finding better treatments for the disease and towards the possibility of a cure.
Ten years ago, many in the field of neurology believed in the possibility of finding a cure but very little research was being done. This was due to a lack of finances made available for that research. In the mid-1990s, very little research money was directed toward this disease, in spite of the fact the research opportunities were so promising.
However, in 2000, actor Michael J. Fox (who has Parkinson’s Disease) started the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. In the past nine years, the foundation has funded more than $149 million in research directly or via partnerships. Through the work of aggressive funding and the raising of awareness around the world, great strides have been made in the improvement of treatment and the quest for a cure. In fact, they believe that a cure could be found within the next decade.
As a follower of Christ, I believe that one way we can live out our faith is by responding to causes such as this one. We are not called just to preach a message of “going to heaven someday,” but to also seek out ways of demonstrating God’s love and the values of His Kingdom through frontal assaults upon issues of injustice, poverty and illness around the world.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation generates funds for research through the generous giving of people around the world who care about the cause. For me, this cause is not some generic concern out there that is competing for our attention. For me, it has a name, and its name is Dad.
It has various names and some who are reading this will know it by one dear to you as well. Maybe it is you, or maybe it’s somebody you love.
If you’d like to join the quest for the cure, you can find out more about it at this link:
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
I believe this urgent goal will finally be reached as more and more of us get involved.
“Medical science has proven time and again that when the resources are provided, great progress in the treatment, cure, and prevention of disease can occur.” — Michael J. Fox
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Leon, old friend, may the Lord bless and watch over you on this difficult journey. Remember that it ends in glory, and you have a loving family willing to walk every step of the way with you, hand in hand, until such time has come to let go and grasp the hand of God. It’s then you’ll say goodbye, but only for a short while.
Christopher speaks of the need for a cure and how those of faith should support that quest. So true, yet such an elusive goal within the time-frame that God has granted you. We’re left with only the simple knowledge that the reunion to come will lay waste to the dark memories, and sickness will be a thing long forgotten.
Nancy, Lorie, Christopher, Drew and Sheryl are all a living testament of your shining life. Thank you for giving us them all, and for being our friend.
[...] and July were spent with my family. My dad’s health has gone downhill quite a lot, so we committed to spending most of those two months helping my mom [...]