Patient Resources
First Step Set Wish Kits
Launched in 2023; Ongoing 2024
Brought to you by 5KforJK, the FIRST-ever patient-led kit, The First Step Set, to help lessen the fear of a Parkinson’s diagnosis. This kit was developed by people living with Parkinson’s, sharing personal things they wish they knew when they were diagnosed.
Tell us what you think
Has the First Step Set helped you? We’d love to hear about it!
Exercise Programs and Communities
2023 – 2024 (Present)
Find a Parkinson’s gym, exercise program, or community below and make PD friends! Exercising and socializing are known to slow progression.
The Secret Life of Parkinson's
A podcast created by Parkinson’s patients, sharing their stories and interviewing others, on things we deal with on a daily basis. It’s hard for people with PD to talk to others about the disease because sometimes it’s difficult for the patient themselves to describe what they are feeling. Talking to other PD patients helps us express what we are going through in ways we might not be able to express to family and friends.
6 thoughts on “Patient Resources”
Jessica thank you for the informative kit. This is a wonderful and educational way to send a message that there are workarounds even with a diagnosis of PD. Love the books, toothbrush and journal as well as the other items provided. More importantly it sends a message that there are resources to make life more manageable. Appreciate your hard work to improve our quality of life. Very grateful for people like you.
Marguerite Foley
I am a physical therapist, practicing for 30+yrs. Went to a Parkinson event sponsored my Michael J Fox Foundation. I ordered my First Step set and received it within a week. I will share as demo with my outpatient clinic staff, so we can assist future patients to order their own. Want a wonderful “hug in a box” for Parkinson patients.
Jessica,
I met you at the MJFox function today. Please let me know if there’s a way that I can help your organization. Because my husband has had PD for 10 years, I’m somewhat familiar with this awful disease, and have been looking for a way that I can be a positive force.
Hello,
Thank you so much for the kit. It is wonderful, with one exception. The water bottle is very uncomfortable. It is very difficult to open and close the bottle, and it is heavy.
I want to thank you and to let you know that I got the beautiful package. It felt like Christmas opening the package.
The sticky notes and messages were so helpful in learning from the experience of our friends with PD.
The”You are not alone” book si nicely written (I am still working on that one).
The “shacky Hands” book is a great tool for sharing our journey with our younger family members.
The journal, a great reminder to take notes.
Everything was very well thought of and it was beautifully organized.
** I specially like to thank our beautiful Jessica for everything you do for our PD family. **
Thank you again. 🙏🙏❤️
I just received my first step kit and am really appreciative of the time and work that went into it. Thank you! One of the first things I noticed was the post it notes. Those messages from others with Parkinson’s to me were one of the most powerful and meaningful pieces of the kit. Please keep including them! The book aimed at helping children understand their loved one having Parkinson’s is one I plan to share with my husband and children. The electric toothbrush is a key resource for me as one of my signs that lead me to seek help was brushing my teeth becoming very awkward.
The cookie was a nice touch but arrived broken into crumbles. Perhaps a different treat with some tips on what to include/avoid in your diet would be helpful.
Overall I appreciate the kit. It makes me feel not so alone with this scary diagnosis.