I had the pleasure of sitting down with four inspiring women who are care partners to spouses living with Parkinson’s Disease: Heidi Bucklew, Cherryl Choi, Tracey Cole, and Katharine Parker. You may watch the video by clicking here.
Heidi lives in Wilmette, Illinois, which is located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. She has been married to Bill Bucklew for 22 years and they have two children, Evan (15) and Madeleine (17); along with their 8-year-old fluffy Portuguese water dog, Margaux. Heidi is a certified public accountant and a senior tax manager with Wipfli. Heidi and Bill have been long-time Team Fox members since Bill’s Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2012. Team Fox is the grassroots fundraising and community-building arm of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Cherryl is a director of supply chain management and a Team Fox member since 2012. She lives with her husband, Jimmy Choi, and their children Karina (almost 14) and Mason (12) in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Jimmy was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s in 2003, at the age of 27. Cherryl is especially proud of her role as a PACER to Jimmy, who is an endurance athlete and is well known for his advocacy for Parkinson’s disease in his appearances at American Ninja Warrior, competing in endurance events, and his Guinness world-recording-breaking feats. PACER stands for: P = Partner, A = Advocate, C = Cheerleader, E = Empower, and R = Repeating daily. This role has strengthened her relationship with Jimmy throughout their 20+ years of marriage as they manage the daily challenges of his Parkinson’s symptoms.
Tracey is married to Allan Cole, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016, at the age of 48. The Coles live in Austin, Texas. They have been married for 29 years and have two daughters, Meredith (15) and Holly (13). Tracey is an avid runner and competes in marathons regularly. She is also a professional baker and owner of Cookie Peace. Tracey and Allan are avid Team Fox members who work to raise awareness and funding for Parkinson’s research, and they also support Power for Parkinson’s, a non-profit organization providing free exercise, singing, and dance classes to persons living with Parkinson’s disease in the greater Austin area.
Katharine and her husband, Bret Parker, met at Fordham Law School. She is a federal judge in the Southern District of New York and previously worked at a law firm. Katharine and Bret live in New York City and have two sons, who are about to turn 21 and 23. Bret learned he had PD in 2007 at the age of 38. The Parkers are active Team Fox members, having hiked Mt Elbert, and have completed the New England Parkinson’s Ride (100 miles) as well as the Mighty Hamptons Olympic-length Triathlon, among other events.
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Photo by Lindsay Lenard on Unsplash