Brian and Lily Reedy, Ambassadors

The November meeting of the Santa Cruz County Parkinson’s Group will welcome Brian and Lily Reedy, Ambassadors for the Davis Phinney Foundation, who will speak on the topic of "Positivity in the Face of Adversity." Lily speaks on Care partner concerns, obsessive and compulsive behaviors, and Veterans Affairs claims. Brian speaks about exercise, starting a support group, and self-advocacy.

They reach out to all those in the Parkinson’s community, whether to the PwP (Person with Parkinson’s), the Caregiver, or their families.
LILY REEDY: Parkinson’s disease was part of Lily and her husband’s life before they even met. Lily’s grandmother learned she had Parkinson’s when she was in her seventies and Brian’s uncle was diagnosed in his sixties. Lily’s husband, Brian, was diagnosed at the age of 48. It took them three years to get a diagnosis but once they did, they breathed a big sigh of relief. Now they knew what they were dealing with. They quickly started researching Parkinson’s and available resources, attended many Parkinson’s conferences, including two World Parkinson’s Congresses and The Victory Summit event® in Las Vegas a few years ago. Together, Brian and Lily are co-directors of their community’s Parkinson’s Awareness and Advocacy group and have just launched their own Parkinson’s Care Partners support group called SOS (Safe and Open Space).
With all the inherent ups and downs of Parkinson’s, Lily believes the one common thread to living well seems to boil down to having love and compassion/forgiveness for each other (and for one’s self), exercising regularly, following a good diet and focusing on the things that make you happy.
BRIAN REEDY: Brian began experiencing symptoms of Parkinson’s when he was 48, but went three “arduous” years until he was diagnosed at age 51. Brian has since retired from his career as a teacher but believes whole-heartedly that knowledge is power! Brian embodies the Living Well message by being as active as possible in the things that are enjoyable. Brian says, “The more we move, the better. Living well is also learning more and interacting with others. So much can be gained when we share our experiences.”
After years of struggling with Parkinson’s, Brian has found quality of life through much of what the Davis Phinney Foundation advocates. Brian now feels strong enough to help others who were once at similar place as him. As an ambassador Brian says he is “most excited about making a positive difference in the lives of others and letting them know that with more knowledge, they gain more control of their lives. Also, as a former teacher, I feel like I am once again able to help guide others to be their best selves and find things in themselves they did not know they had or could do. I get to help them find their own victories, and build upon them. Then they, too, can help others.”
An interview with Brian can be found here: https://www.parkinsonalliance.org/patient-stories/brian-reedy/
A Carson City, NV 2018 newspaper article in the Nevada Appeal: Lahontan Valley News can be found here: https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/local/carson-citys-brian-reedy-reflects-on-10-years-after-parkinsons-diagnosis/
HISTORY:
The Santa Cruz County Parkinson’s Group (SCCPG), a project of the not-for-profit EASE PD, Inc. (www.easepd.org), has been a long-standing community organization whose mission is to foster a supportive environment for People with Parkinson’s disease (PwP), their families, friends and caregivers. For more than 25 years, it has been providing a venue for them to meet, socialize, and learn, both from each other and from outside speakers. It also provides community outreach in the form of a newsletter called Movers and Shakers and via informational brochures placed in local physicians’ offices.

The group is committed to disseminating the latest scientific information about the disease and in supporting access to much-needed exercise and other therapeutic activities.

The vibrant Santa Cruz Parkinson’s community of those with PD, their family members, and volunteers continues to welcome new members, and hopes to increase its impact in Santa Cruz County.