LapsForLinny at the Parkinson's Unity Walk.
For years, Jessica R. kept her Parkinson’s diagnosis within a small circle of family, close friends and colleagues. Then in 2023, at The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Parkinson’s Unity Walk, she made the decision to share it more openly — and to do so on her own terms.
Jessica was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's 12 years ago after noticing her left hand felt shaky and weak. Although she received a diagnosis within six months — faster than many people — the emotional impact lingered. Early on, she was advised not to tell many people, and that guidance led to years of carrying it quietly. “Everyone kind of walked on eggshells around me — it was kind of the elephant in the room,” she said.
A shift came in 2020 when she told her employer about her diagnosis; their support, she says, changed everything. “Once my employer was supportive of it, then I was free to share it with the world,” she said. “It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulder.”
By the time she signed up for Parkinson’s Unity Walk in 2023, Jessica was ready to take another step. A friend had encouraged her to join, and she created a team called LapsForLinny, named after a childhood nickname. In the week leading up to the Unity Walk, she posted a message on social media that felt authentic and direct: “If you know me, you see me traveling and drinking wine, but my reality is I have Parkinson’s and I’m still thriving.”
That honesty drew people in. Friends, family, coworkers — even professional contacts — rallied behind her. The response was immediate and deeply affirming, reinforcing something she had only recently begun to believe: asking for help can open the door to stronger connection.
What Jessica loves about the Unity Walk is how ordinary and joyful it feels. It’s a morning in the sun where kids, parents, colleagues and neighbors show up together. “It’s really just a special day where the closest people in my life come together,” she said. Walking side by side becomes a quiet but powerful expression of support: “They’re showing me their support through a good day, a bad day and every step of this journey.”
About four and a half years ago, Jessica made another pivotal decision. After growing tired of living “pill to pill” and managing constant medication cycles, she chose to pursue deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The decision came quickly — just six weeks from deciding to move forward to undergoing the procedure — after she watched a Michael J. Fox Foundation webinar about DBS and realized she was ready. The surgery significantly reduced her symptoms and helped stabilize her daily life. While she knows not everyone has access to the same level of care, she describes the outcome simply: it was life-changing.
Above all, Jessica carries hope. She follows research closely and believes real progress is underway. “I would say there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I see that light,” she said. That hope — paired with the steady presence of a community that keeps showing up — is what brings her back to the Unity Walk year after year.
This April, LapsForLinny will once again walk us at the 2026 Parkinson’s Unity Walk. Join them on Saturday, April 25 in New York City.
