As someone who has been involved with the Parkinson’s community for the last seven years, I have seen firsthand the benefits of not only the knowledge the Parkinson’s Association provides, but also the sense of community it creates.  I have assessed well over three hundred Parkinson’s fighters for my Rock Steady program and, what is abundantly clear, is that it takes a village to combat the disease.  I am a connector of people and programs, often relaying information to my fighters about the association’s events, movement disorder specialists, physical therapists, parkinson’s studies, and speech therapy programs, in order to improve the quality of their lives.  I know I can broaden my outreach as a connector in my role as a board member, bringing the enthusiasm I have for my fighters to not take the diagnosis sitting down: to stand up to Parkinson’s through support, activity, and involvement.