I have always believed in living life to the fullest. Born in 1966 as the eldest of eight children, I come from a long line of strong Indigenous women. For the past 41 years, I’ve shared my life with my husband, Robert. Together, we have built a beautiful family with our three incredible adopted children—two boys, now 17, and our daughter, who joined our family as a baby. Parenthood has been an adventure, and we have always made time for the things we love, especially travelling and staying involved in our kids’ activities. Robert, or “Coach Dad” as we affectionately call him, coaches everything, and this year, I’ve joined him in coaching our daughter’s soccer team.

Beyond family, I’ve always kept busy. I love working with my hands—gardening, flipping furniture, and tackling home projects with power tools. Creativity fuels me, whether it’s painting or writing poetry and short stories, which I hope to publish soon.

A Life-Changing Diagnosis

In 2017, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It started with small signs—my right arm stopped swinging, my right side felt weak, and I struggled to wiggle my toes into my shoes. I assumed it was something minor, maybe a pinched nerve. But when my neurologist said, “You have Parkinson’s,” I was in shock. I left the office in tears, sharing the news with strangers in the elevator, unable to process the weight of it. When my son called moments later, I reassured him that everything was fine, even though my world felt like it had shifted beneath me.

Embracing the Journey

Over time, I learned to navigate life with Parkinson’s. I have an incredible care team, and with medication and support, I continue living my life as I always have. There are challenges—mornings take longer, and sometimes I feel shaky or tired—but I take it one day at a time. I waited over a year to tell people because I didn’t want pity. I am still me, and there’s nothing to feel sorry for.

For anyone newly diagnosed, my advice is simple: lean on the people closest to you, even if it feels overwhelming. You are still the same person. Exercise is vital—not in extreme ways, but just moving every day makes a difference. And creativity has been my lifeline. Writing, painting, and staying engaged in the things I love help me maintain a positive perspective.

Moving Forward

Life keeps moving, and so do I. Parkinson’s is only a part of my journey. I am still a wife, a mother, a coach, a creator, and a woman determined to embrace each day with purpose and joy. My diagnosis does not define me—it is simply another chapter in my story, and I intend to keep writing it in bold, beautiful strokes.