Together We Keep Progress in Motion!
If you're reading this, it's because you're someone who has been a special part of my life.
This is one of the hardest things I've ever written.
For most of my life, I've been the person who tried to figure things out on my own. I've always believed that if I worked hard enough, stayed positive, and kept moving forward, I could overcome just about anything.
For the last seven years, that's exactly how I've approached Parkinson's.
In November 2018, at 43 years old, I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease. Like so many people who receive that diagnosis, I was scared, uncertain, and overwhelmed. But after that initial shock, I made a decision.
I wasn't going to let Parkinson's define me.
Since then, I've done everything I possibly could to slow its progression. I've committed myself to exercise, improving my diet, prioritizing sleep, physical therapy, and every healthy lifestyle change I could find. I've worked hard to stay active, keep working, and continue showing up for the people I love.
Many of you have probably asked me over the years how I was doing.
Most of the time, my answer was, "I'm doing okay."
The truth is, I've become pretty good at hiding the difficult days.
What many people haven't seen are the moments when my feet freeze and simply won't move. The increasing shuffle in my walk. The growing difficulty with balance. The mental fatigue. The quiet frustration that comes with realizing your body isn't responding the way it used to.
Parkinson's has continued to progress despite everything I've done to fight it.
Today, I'm 51 years old. I'm a husband to an incredible wife, Nellie, and a proud father to two amazing sons, Dallas and Mack. They're my greatest motivation, and I want to be there for every milestone, every celebration, and every ordinary day that makes life so meaningful.
I'm also grateful to continue leading my business and building Progress in Motion Foundation, an organization born from my own journey with Parkinson's. My hope is that it will become a source of education, encouragement, and hope for others living with Parkinson's and other movement disorders.
That mission has become deeply personal to me.
Recently, my doctors and I have begun discussing advanced treatment options, including specialized evaluations and potentially surgical therapies such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), if I'm determined to be an appropriate candidate. While there are no guarantees, these treatments may offer an opportunity to improve my mobility, preserve my independence, and give me more quality years with the people I love.
Unfortunately, pursuing this level of care comes with significant financial challenges. The costs of evaluations, travel, treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work add up quickly.
Asking for help has never come naturally to me.
But I've realized that accepting help isn't giving up...it's giving myself the opportunity to keep fighting.
If you're able to support me financially, I would be incredibly grateful. If you're not in a position to give, I completely understand. Your prayers, encouragement, and support mean just as much to me and my family.
Please don't feel any pressure. I simply wanted to share honestly where I am in this journey and why I'm taking this step.
I truly believe there is still hope.
Hope for more memories with Nellie, Dallas, and Mack.
Hope for more years of serving my clients, my community, and the people who depend on me.
Hope for continuing the mission of Progress in Motion Foundation.
And hope that this next chapter allows me to keep doing what I've always tried to do...keep moving forward.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Thank you for your friendship, your encouragement, and for standing beside me through one of the biggest challenges of my life.
For now, I'm sharing this only with my closest family and friends. I kindly ask that you keep this within our circle and not share it on social media just yet. When the time is right, I'll tell this story more broadly. Right now, I simply wanted to share it first with the people who have always meant the most to me.
Parkinson's may slow my steps, but it will never stop my purpose. As long as I can keep moving forward—even one step at a time—there is always Progress in Motion.
With gratitude,
David Cooper
