Sherry (left) and her husband Henry (right) celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary.
Sherry, 72, of Parkland, Florida, was very familiar with Parkinson’s, as her mother lived with the disease for over 30 years. When Sherry herself was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013, she believed it was just a matter of random chance.
That all changed when her doctor asked, “Are you Ashkenazi Jewish?” She then learned through genetic testing that she carried a LRRK2 variant — one of the most common genetic contributors to Parkinson’s that is especially prevalent within the Ashkenazi Jewish community. Sherry’s daughter and son also underwent genetic testing, and to their surprise, they too carry the LRRK2 variant.
Given her family history of Parkinson’s, Sherry was motivated by her children and grandchildren to turn to research stating, “I want to get my family answers.” In 2014, Sherry enrolled in The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s landmark research study, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), aimed at better understanding the biology of Parkinson’s through in-person clinic visits, scans and biosample collection. As a part of PPMI, Sherry was asked to take a scratch-and-sniff smell test. In doing so, she joined a growing number of volunteers helping researchers critically explore how sense of smell is linked to brain disease.
Stopping Parkinson's became a shared family mission. In 2023, her husband, Henry, enrolled in PPMI as a control participant. Their children joined PPMI’s online platform, open to anyone age 18 or older with or without Parkinson’s, where participants contribute through regular surveys and remote testing.
Sherry encourages other members of the Ashkenazi Jewish community to participate in research. She says, “People can be hesitant to learn more about their health risks, but if you have children or grandchildren, studies like PPMI are on a mission to prevent, slow or reverse disease. You can help make the impact of Parkinson’s on their lives as small as possible.”
Today, Sherry continues to live life to the fullest, traveling around the world, participating in research and advocacy, and a proud organizer of a Parkinson’s support group called, The MOVERS & SHAKERS.
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PPMI is actively recruiting more volunteers. Researchers are looking for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the past seven years to take a smell test. Request your free scratch-and-sniff test today. Some people may be sent a free genetic test as well—especially people with Parkinson’s who are Ashkenazi Jewish or have a family history of the disease.
Photo Gallery
Sherry and Henry with their two children, Wendy and Seth.
Sherry's Mother who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in the mid to late 1960s.
Sherry and Henry on an expedition cruise in Iceland in the summer of 2023.
Sherry attending a Raw Kickboxing class with Rock Steady Boxing.
Sherry with her grandchildren celebrating Thanksgiving together in 2024.