Elva Brown

I do not do it alone. Like the saying goes, “There’s no I in team.” Going into my fifth year as team captain of “Team Sloth” for Moving Day San Antonio, I am very proud to volunteer with this energetic and passionate group to raise awareness of Parkinson’s. I may be the captain, but we all do it all together. 

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not always an easy conversation; It was difficult for me at the very beginning. It took me four years to tell my family and friends that I, indeed had Parkinson’s. I just couldn’t say the words.

Now, 13 years later after my initial diagnosis and 15 years after going from doctor to doctor trying to find out why I was having so many problems with my hands, here I am. I’m not afraid to shout from the roof tops that I fight this disease day after day, with good and bad days.

Even on the bad days I am forever thankful for the blessings that Parkinson’s has brought into my life in the form of new friends and loved ones. People with Parkinson’s and their families, the Parkinson’s medical community, the Parkinson’s support groups, the Parkinson’s exercise groups, people who work with the Parkinson’s community like the Parkinson's Foundation. All these people have made my life better and without having Parkinson’s, I would not have met them. They help empower me to make an impact in my community and the world beyond.

And I am thankful for my recent deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in December 2024 that has greatly increased the number of those good days. It’s only been a few months, but it has helped me tremendously. My days are better; my body, my brain, my focus, my outlook are all better. It took me two years to listen to anyone talk to me about DBS, but just like with sharing my diagnosis, I had to be ready. I’m grateful for the patience of my doctor, and the resources that were available when I finally was ready to listen and talk about it. This is such amazing technology that they have, and I am living a better quality of life because of it.

Parkinson’s disease has certainly changed my life, but I have never let it alter it in a negative way. I fight daily to beat this disease. And I will continue to fight towards a cure for this disease for the San Antonio community as well.

It all starts with awareness. I have learned a lot. I didn’t know what Parkinson’s was when I was diagnosed but I read, researched and I asked questions. And that’s where the Parkinson’s Foundation comes in for me. They have helped me and countless others here in San Antonio get the information and support they need.

As is part of the Foundation’s mission, “Make life better for people with Parkinson’s by improving Care and Advancing Research towards a cure.” That is the support I feel from them for me and many others here in San Antonio and across the world. With the help, love and support from my husband, my family, my friends and my faith; I know I can go forth to make an impact in our community; a good and positive impact.

I think everybody who has PD can make an impact, even if it is just for one person who is having a tough day. Everyone has a story, a thing that they are dealing with, even if it is not the same ‘thing’ you never know how much you can brighten their day and make an impact with just a conversation and a smile.

Explore the ways you can volunteer and help your Parkinson’s community. Sign up to become a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador today.