Chad Killebrew
Phoenix, Arizona
I was wrapping up a PhD at the University of Utah, serving as a senior executive at a multi-billion-dollar transportation company, and working with my amazing wife to raise our four children—2017 seemed to be going well! Then came a tiny problem: my handwriting had become so small that I couldn’t read my notes. Despite focused effort, I couldn’t write legibly. Then, one morning, I noticed a twitch in my right hand, which quickly progressed to a tremor. On Tuesday, October 24, 2017, after a few trips to the Mayo Clinic and a second opinion from doctors at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center – Barrow Neurological Institute, I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. I was 42. That moment marked a turning point that redefined my understanding of resilience and adaptability.
Living well with Parkinson’s, for me, means building a team to support my efforts to stabilize and strengthen my physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual health. My team members encourage me to take intentional steps toward my vision and goals, then celebrate with me as I make progress—whether those steps are big or small. At the end of my first-ever yoga class, the instructor concluded the practice with the traditional “Namaste.” It was a new word to me, so I asked what it meant. She said, “One interpretation I like is: ‘The good in me recognizes the good in you.'” I believe living well with Parkinson’s essentially involves creating a virtuous cycle where my team recognizes the good in me, and I, in turn, recognize the good in them. While we may celebrate different achievements for each other, we are ultimately acknowledging the good in one another, which lifts spirits, sparks desire and builds momentum.
Two big things led me to become involved with the Davis Phinney Foundation as an Ambassador: meeting Carl Ames and getting back on my bike. Carl, a Davis Phinney Foundation Ambassador himself, showed me what it means to live with purpose and passion while facing Parkinson’s. His openness, warmth, and pure kindness made it easy for me to share my struggles and victories. And let’s not forget the bike—this is joy; this is freedom. Some days, I feel like I can pedal beyond the diagnosis. I love being “wheels down” on a bike.
What excites me most about serving as a Davis Phinney Foundation Ambassador is the opportunity to help others realize they are not alone in this fight. There will be days when we just get by and survive, and there will be other days when we cross the finish line, pumping our fists and shouting for joy. I want to celebrate—and help others celebrate—both the surviving days and the thriving days of Parkinson’s! Knowing that one connection, one smile, or one moment of encouragement could change someone’s day—that’s what gets me up in the morning.
The most important things in my life are my family, my friends, and my faith. Equally important to me is to engage in active and intentional effort to strengthen and increase this special tie. I value learning and growth, not just in knowledge but also in understanding myself and others more deeply. I find meaning in connecting with people in authentic ways and strive to make each encounter positive, even if it’s just through a small gesture.