Parkinson's Pathway Pals Tuesdays with Teresa Teresa Jackson

Join me as I speak with a panel of guests today including Molly Cupka, the Director of Sportrock Climbing Center, Alexandria and Founder of Up Ending Parkinsons. 
Molly is determined to spread the addictive sport that is rock climbing throughout the Parkinsons community. In addition, Molly is also dedicated to funding research and sharing simple, everyday adaptations that can slow the progression of Parkinsons Disease.  And she’s cool enough to be on the Today Show! 

Up Ending Parkinsons is anticipated to air on April 30th, 2024. 

What do Parkinson’s disease and an Ironman Triathlon have in common…Dr. Sara Whittingham
Dr. Sara Whittingham is an Air Force Veteran and Anesthesiologist at Cleveland Clinic, Marymount Hospital, and clinical faculty member at Northeast Ohio Medical University.  
She traveled the world caring for fellow service members and patients.  In Nov. 2020, at the age of 46, Sara’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease.
Sara won a chance to compete at the 2023 Ironman World Championship in Kona.  She used this opportunity to raise awareness about Parkinson’s Disease and how exercise can help people living with Parkinson’s, live a full life.

Time Hague runs the race of his life.
Tim Hague Sr. overcame the odds when he went from a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease to winning season #1 of The Amazing Race Canada.  
Listen in as he shares the lessons he learned from that experience.  His message is wrapped in the idea of having the strength to do your best, the courage to be content with what your best produces, and the will to persevere.

Billy Kennedy is an American basketball coach who has a winning career spanning almost three decades.  He talks candidly about his diagnosis during a career change, DBS surgery and his approach to living with Parkinson’s disease.  

Have you heard that exercise may slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease?  Are you curious which types of exercise may help?
Please join me as I chat with Molly Cupka, Director of Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria, Virginia and Founder and President of Up Ending Parkinson’s.  In addition, two special guests, Teresa Bennett and Michelle Sloane,  join in the discussion of how rock climbing has impacted their quality of life. 
Molly discusses her passion for neuroscience and her love of climbing, which was a driving force in starting a nonprofit, Up Ending Parkinson’s, in May of 2022.  The mission of Up Ending Parkinson’s is to help people develop practices through education, lifestyle changes and rock climbing that will nourish the mind, body and soul. 

Are you challenged with non motor Parkinson's symptoms?  Do you experience fatigue and sleep disruptions? Dr. Michael Okun discusses the management of these symptoms and more.

Please join me as I speak with world Parkinson’s leader, Dr. Michael Okun.  Dr. Okun is a board-certified neurologist, movement disorders specialist, neuroscientist and author who practices with the philosophy that ‘the patient is the sun’ and should be at the center of all care decisions.


Dr. Okun co-founded and co-directs the internationally renowned Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases with his neurosurgeon partner and friend, Kelly Foote, MD. Since 2006.  He also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation.


In addition, Dr. Okun has authored 14 books related to living a full life with neurological disorders including Parkinson’s Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life and Ending Parkinson’s Disease.


Dr. Okun shares his insight and perspective on how to best manage Parkinson’s disease.