Woman Living with Parkinson’s Continually Seeks Ways to Live Well

In 2013, when the tremor in her left hand and leg became concerning,
Beth Snyderman of Riverwoods made an appointment with a neurologist. She
was 51 years old and did not expect to receive a diagnosis of
Parkinson’s disease (PD).

As the news settled in, Beth tried to manage her symptoms with
medication; however, she could not take to a high enough dosage without
other symptoms affecting her quality of life. She was motivated to
change her treatment plan and considered her doctor’s suggestion of
having Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery.

DBS is a powerful therapy to address the movement symptoms of
Parkinson’s and certain side effects caused by medications. It is
believed to be most effective for people who experience disabling
tremors, wearing-off spells, and medication-induced dyskinesias, with
studies showing benefits lasting at least five years.

“Medication alone wasn’t fully controlling the tremor, so it was
clear that DBS was the next logical step, but it was a big one for me,”
said Beth. “My neurologist and neurosurgeon at Northwestern Medicine
explained that while I was a good candidate for DBS, the surgery might
not be effective. I was ready to do nearly anything to improve my
quality of life, and I am thankful we moved forward with the procedure.”

Beth’s symptoms improved after the DBS surgery. She added exercise
into her treatment plan and continued to feel good. Research has shown
that a structured exercise program can ease PD symptoms, and
task-specific workouts benefit walking, balance, strength, mobility and
more.

Despite a well-rounded approach to treatment, the right side of
Beth’s body began to experience tremors and her quality of life began to
decline again. In July of 2022, she underwent DBS surgery on the other
side of her brain. The therapy has proven effective and her tremors are
well managed.

“Currently, I exercise four days a week at Movement Revolution in
Deerfield and I find my strength training sessions and group classes are
physically and emotionally critical to my well-being,” Beth said. “With
a focus on exercise and wellness programs for people with neurological
conditions, the team at Movement Revolution has created a very special
community of support and hope.”

To show her support for those in the Parkinson’s community, Beth will
be participating in Moving Day Chicago, a walk to benefit the
Parkinson’s Foundation on October 16, 2022. Beth and her family and
friends will walk in this fundraising event with the Movement
Revolution/Rock Steady Boxing Team. To date, Beth has raised $4,600 for
the Parkinson’s Foundation.

More than 1,000 people are expected to gather for Moving Day Chicago
in Soldier Field’s South Lot. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and feature
fitness demonstrations, information booths, the We Move Ceremony and a
family-friendly walk along the lakefront. Funds raised through Moving
Day Chicago help support lifesaving resources, quality care for people
living with Parkinson’s, and critical research studies and initiatives.

“We participated in Moving Day last year and I found it was an
uplifting experience,” said Beth. “It’s important to raise awareness
about Parkinson’s and also fundraise for programs that help people like
me. I’m fortunate to have a strong support system that is available to
me every day and has so generously donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation
in my honor.”

About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder that
affects dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain
called substantia nigra. People with PD may experience tremors, slowness
of movements (bradykinesia), gait and balance problems, and non-motor
symptoms including depression, anxiety, constipation and cognitive
impairment.

Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year, and
in Illinois, there are an estimated 29,700 people living with
Parkinson’s disease.

About the Parkinson’s Foundation

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s
disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In
everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our
global Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org.

To learn more and register for Moving Day Chicago, visit
MovingDayChicago.org. Registration is free and participants are
encouraged to fundraise.