Pictured: American Ninja Warrior and Parkinson's advocate, Jimmy Choi, Provided photo.

Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s held its Annual Parkinson’s Symposium on Saturday, January 24, at Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center. The free, expert-led event offered vital education and inspiration for people living with Parkinson’s, care partners and healthcare professionals. Alongside presentations from leading Parkinson’s specialists, this year’s Symposium featured special guest Jimmy Choi, celebrated American Ninja Warrior competitor and Parkinson’s advocate. Choi, who uses his platform to inspire and empower others with Parkinson’s, discussed his personal journey of living actively with the disease. In addition to his symposium presentation, Choi graciously took the time to share his thoughts with our readers. Below is a portion of the larger feature to appear in the April edition of SRQ Magazine.

How do events like the Neuro Challenge Foundation Symposium help strengthen the Parkinson’s community?

When I was diagnosed, there was a lot of shame and embarrassment that came along with the diagnosis. There was a stigma because of how little the public knew about Parkinson's. Everybody looked at me, thinking maybe I was drunk. Sitting on an airplane, I would have tremors and people wouldn't want to sit next to me. So, I thought it was important for me to raise awareness, not just for those living with Parkinson's, but if you look at my social media platforms, I'm really talking to the general public. If I can somehow help the public have a better understanding, there will be less shame, less embarrassment for the person living with Parkinson's. And at the same time, if I can show my abilities and if that can help another person with Parkinson's also learn how they can help themselves, then that's great as well. At the end of the day, I want the next person to have less isolation from embarrassment and if they're more comfortable being out in public, there's more opportunity for them to go to training, therapy and to live life.

Pictured: American Ninja Warrior and Parkinson's advocate, Jimmy Choi, Provided photo.