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Alharvey Parker, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease a decade ago, went from never talking about his ailment to empowering himself. "I just had to get back to living," he said.

Parkinson’s disease is rarely discussed in the African American community.

The Parkinson’s Foundation Carolina chapter hosted “Parkinson’s Disease and the African American Community: Part 2” Sept. 24 at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. The program was presented by Atrium Health and participants heard from community members and health experts on how the disease can impact mental wellness. Conversations at the event also explored the role spirituality and faith plays in healing.

Part 1 of the series took place online in February and discussed early detection of PD and the underrepresentation of Blacks in healthcare and research.

“My goal for this program is to raise awareness while changing the narrative,” said Kimberly Gamble, program coordinator for movement disorders at Atrium Health in Charlotte. “I’ve worked with the Parkinson’s community for almost 20 years and the key to living with Parkinson’s disease is to understand your needs will change over time but that there are resources within the community to support you each and every step along your journey.”

Parkinson’s is a chronic and ongoing movement disorder that causes nerve cells, or neurons in the brain to die or malfunction. The progressive disease affects the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination.

“I have to deal with Parkinson’s. There is no way around it,” said Alharvey Parker, who was diagnosed a decade ago. “Whether I live alone or not, I'm faced with that task of dealing with it. What I tell myself you know it’s OK. But long before I got to that point, there was 10 years of darkness. I never discussed it. I never acknowledged that. I just put it in a closet and left it there.”

Parker caught PD early, with one of the earliest signs was his handwriting becoming smaller. As a survivor, he is determined to keep going.

“You have to remain socially connected,” he said. “I just had to get back to living.”

Some studies have shown Black people and Asians are less likely than whites to develop PD, but the reasons why are not clear, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Most people are diagnosed around age 60, but about 10% can be affected before 50. Men are slightly more likely to develop the illness than women.

When a person is diagnosed, it is normal for them to go through the stages of grief and suffer from anxiety, depression, apathy, or impulse control problems.

“This is not just a reaction to the disorder,” Dr. Ivorie Walker, a neuropsychologist at Atrium Health told the audience. “This is related also to the fact that there are real changes happening in your brain that are causing these changes in your mood and in your behavior and in your cognition.”

Pastor Samantha Dowdy, who serves with Higher Dimensions Ministries in Indian Trail, encouraged people living with the disease that “faith begins with your mind.”

“You have to make daily affirmations,” she said. “We’re gonna make a choice today that we’re going to get through this day – it’s gonna be a good day. I’m already blessed.”
During the event, there was a fitness break in which Atrium Health providers led the audience in a quick workout.

During a panel discussion, healthcare providers and members of the community discussed serving as caregiver to someone with Parkinson’s and the importance of asking doctors questions when it comes to medications and treatments.

“We have both one life to live. This is my life,” said Julia Gee, a care partner to her husband. “[The doctor] took an oath to take care of me so as long as it takes, you answer my questions.”

The crowd clapped in response.

There was also a Q&A segment during the panel discussions where audience members and those streaming from Zoom could ask questions.

The next event by the Parkinson’s Foundation will be Nov. 5 at Dix Park in Raleigh for Parkinson’s Moving Day NC Triangle.

Register  online at movingdaynctriangle.org.

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