In 2021, PD Movers invited a group of Black and African Amercian individuals with Parkinson’s and their care partners to develop an educational guide for Parkinson’s designed specifically for the Black and African American community. This group of “movers” includes doctors, researchers, and teachers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) and Teachers College, Columbia University. What came from those initial gatherings is a beautiful storybook filled with narratives of African American and Black individuals and care partners who are living and thriving with Parkinson’s.
In the second webinar of the series, the creators behind the book “The PD Movers” (an illustrated storybook highlighting several stories from the Black and African American community) discuss The Power of Story: On Using Narratives in the Black and African American Community to Connect and Inspire Those Affected by Parkinson’s.
YOUR SPEAKERS FOR THIS WEBINAR SERIES
Sara Linn
Community Leadership Programs Manager
Sara is the Ambassador Leadership Program Manager at the Davis Phinney Foundation. Born and raised in Colorado, Sara is extremely passionate about reinvesting in the communities that have shaped who she is today and increasing access to information, tools, and resources for those who live in them.
With her passion for human physiology and business administration, Sara strives to play an active role in positively impacting the health and wellbeing of individuals across the globe while improving systems that support their communities.
Of the various things that bring Sara joy, escaping in a good book, rewatching any Marvel movie, exploring new cities and countries, playing with her two amazing nieces, or climbing to the top of the various mountains in Colorado, are among her favorites.
Kermit Smith
My name is Kermit Smith I’m 67 years young. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015. With help of my neurologist, family, and friends I’ve learned how to live and thrive with Mr. Parkinson’s Disease.
Richard Huckabee, BS, MRE
Richard Huckabee is a retired Executive Manager. He was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in February of 2013. He is currently a PD Mover, an Aware in Care Ambassador, and a Research Advocate (specializing in exercise research) for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Richard is also a husband, father, avid traveler, hiker, and amateur photographer. Richard says he’s living well with his disease due to the grace of God, along with his community of family, friends and doctors. Richard has participated in many PD related research studies and has added exercise to his daily routine to stay healthy. Richard has a passion to serve his community; he and his wife Angela serve together on a number Parkinson’s related committees. Richard continues to inspire People with Parkinson’s to “Get Better Every Day”! His daily Mantra is “Every Day I Fight”!
Hiral Shah, MD
Dr. Hiral Shah is an assistant professor of neurology at Columbia University Medical Center in the Division of Multispecialty Neurology. Dr. Shah is most interested in learning how to overcome barriers of stigma and discrimination to improve care access for vulnerable individuals who suffer from mental health conditions and neurodegenerative disorders. This includes the assessment of cognition and mental health among those with neuropsychiatric conditions.