World Health Organization research shows that the prevalence of Parkinson's disease has doubled over the past 25 years. Many things around Parkinson's, though, are still mysteries.

Parkinson’s is not the same for everyone. For many, it’s not the tremors or total immobility many have seen in celebrities like in actor Michael J. Fox. 

After having trouble swallowing while eating and some speech problems, Paul Hudson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the fall of 2020. It was a devastating diagnosis.

"I told my wife I wanted to be a DNR and that was it," Hudson said of his do-not-resuscitate wishes.

Parkinson’s experts say Hudson's feelings can be common.

“When people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s initially, they often feel like there is no hope," says Julie Lombardi, a physical therapist and board member of Empower Parkinson. "They’re finding out that they have his progressive neurologic disease, and they worry that ... every day from there is just gonna get worse."

"We will find help for you, but we will get through this," said Hudson's wife, Fran.

The couple found help through Empower Parkinson, which offers a full-circle holistic family focused program. 

“We think about the patient is part of as part of the team as well as their care partner," Lombardi said, "and so there are supports for all of those people that are part of the team.”

The focus includes classes, education, conferences and social opportunities.

“[It's] kind of a dental model approach where you ... have a lifelong relationship with a physical therapist," Lombardi said, "and they come back every six months to a year and get a check-up, see if they need a tuneup and then continue on with whatever their outside program might be.”

“Every year, I go to a physical therapist and occupational therapist," Hudson said, "and a speech therapist along with my movement doctor.

“I’m not going down without a fight.”