At the young age of 35, in 2010, our world was shaken by news we never anticipated — an early-onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) diagnosis.

Before that moment, life with my beautiful wife, Leondra, and three amazing boys, Connor (9), Brendan (7), and Dylan (5), felt like a dream. Baseball fields and motorhome adventures were our constant. My career as a Federal Officer was fulfilling and a source of pride, and we seemed to be living the American dream.  

The diagnosis brought fear and uncertainty. We were thrust into a world of research, lifestyle adjustments, and managing the side effects of medication. Years later, in 2017, the progression of my PD forced a painful decision: retirement. My physical strength waned, and my cognitive abilities began to decline, making my job unsafe.

Fifteen years into this journey with PD, the daily challenges persist. However, surrounded by loved ones, I focus on the truth that while life presents difficulties, they do not define my identity.    

-Jesse Jacobs