Cary Family to Honor Loved One at Virtual Moving Day Chicago

When Jenny Paholke’s husband Tim went for his annual physical exam in October of 2016, he expected to leave with a clean bill of health. However, a nurse practitioner noticed Tim’s voice was weaker than usual and he was slurring his words. In their daily routine, Jenny and Tim missed these very subtle changes.

Following that fall day, the Paholkes spent nearly a year searching for answers. They saw several doctors and Tim took various tests, but the answers eluded them. Frustrated, and unsure where else to turn, Jenny posted in a private Facebook group for Cary residents, asking for recommendations for neurologists. A fellow member suggested they make an appointment with a movement disorders specialist at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago.

Immediately, the team at RUSH suspected Tim, who was only 44 years old, had Young Onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD), and eventually confirmed the diagnosis. Finally, the Paholkes had answers; not the answers they were hoping for, but with the new information they could move forward and develop a plan to help Tim live well with the disease.

YOPD affects about two to 10 percent of the one million people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the United States. The cause of Parkinson’s remains largely unknown and currently there is no cure.

Parkinson’s can leave people living with the disease and their caregivers feeling lonely and isolated. Jenny continually depends on the online community of people with PD and their caregivers. Recently, when Facebook group members posted about Moving Day Chicago, a walk to benefit the Parkinson’s Foundation, she was intrigued.

She researched the event and the Foundation and recognized Moving Day Chicago would be an ideal opportunity to support Tim and raise funds for care and research. Jenny formed Team Tim, ordered team t-shirts, and began leading the fundraising charge. She set a team fundraising goal of $500, which they surpassed quickly -- and they expect to more than double that amount.

While Moving Day participants cannot gather on October 24, 2020 at Soldier Field, the Paholkes are looking forward to participating in the virtual event. On event day, they will join a Facebook Live hosted by Patrick Fazio of NBC5 Chicago and featuring special guests. Moving Day is a celebration of movement, and as such, during the virtual event, instructors will lead exercises proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.

Despite the progression of Tim’s symptoms, he remains positive. Even when tired and not feeling well, Tim can be relied on to help, be present, and engage with those around him. He is a deeply loyal Chicago Cubs fan, an experimental cook who loves to barbeque, and a caring father of three and husband. A combination of medication, physical therapy, plenty of rest, and exercise help Tim manage his YOPD symptoms.

In Illinois, 29,700 people are living with PD. Events such as Moving Day Chicago remind the PD community they are not alone in the fight. To learn more about Moving Day Chicago and register for free, visit MovingDayChicago.org.