The support and love that Karon and Chuck have for each other is evident from the minute you meet them. They are both walking through their own health journeys but are always there for one another, especially when it comes to exercising with Power for Parkinson's!! Karon and Chuck regularly do 4 PFP classes each week together, scheduling them into their daily routine and cheering each other on when motivation levels are a little low!! They tune into our classes from Everett, WA, and even though Karon and Chuck often catch our classes after they live stream, they still feel the love and the warmth of the PFP community and like they are a part of our online family.

Chuck's PD symptoms started in 2018 and his physical and cognitive decline was initially so rapid that it was extremely scary for Karon to witness. However, within six months of exercising with PFP, Karon couldn't believe the dramatic changes she saw in Chuck, exclaiming that it was as if the clock had been turned back a year and a half!! And Chuck reports that he went from not having much movement in his left arm at all, with it usually just hanging by his side, to now being able to carry two open cups of coffee around the house!! Now if that's not motivation to add more PFP exercise into your life we don't know what is!! While Karon doesn't have PD, she is also an avid participant in the PFP program and has noticed several benefits from doing our classes. Most recently, helping her recover from her knee replacement!! Like many of you, Karon and Chuck make wellbeing a huge priority in their lives and are constantly amazed by the amazing benefits that they see in their day-to-day living as a result.

Chuck and Karon have been married for 20 years and still feel as if they have so much more living to do!! They are avid travelers who thrive on an adventure but are also very mindful to take joy in the simple things in life, such as their daily walks around the neighborhood. Chuck is a retired airline and military pilot and so they have done a lot of travel up and down the west coast of the US, visiting their second home in San Diego whenever they can. One of their most memorable adventures was when they went on a fishing trip in Northern Canada and Karon reeled in a 145-pound halibut using a fishing line with only a 35-pound capacity!!

Despite not being able to adventure as far and wide as they normally do as a result of the pandemic, Chuck and Karon continue to embrace life to the fullest, prioritizing time with friends and family and cheering each other on every day in all they do. Karon and Chuck, you are the perfect team and an inspiration to all of us - thank you for being a part of our community and championing PFP in Everett.

This Participant Spotlight was written by Nadine Eram, Power for Parkinson’s Community Outreach Coordinator.