Gretchen White
State College, Pennsylvania
My journey began in December 2018, two weeks before my birthday. While it wasn’t an official diagnosis, it was a start to finding answers. Eventually, I received an official diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson’s with ataxia. After a few weeks of feeling sorry for myself, I joined a Facebook group to learn more about my diagnosis. Through my involvement in that group, I was inspired to start the “I AM The Face Of Project” to share the beautiful faces and stories of those living with Parkinson’s.
While connecting with individuals for my project, I learned about the Davis Phinney Foundation and attended The Victory Summit® event in Philadelphia in 2019. There, I met some amazing and fun individuals who were living their lives well with Parkinson’s. Following that experience, I knew I wanted to be a part of the Foundation to show people just how strong they can be in the fight.
Today, I find joy in reading, spending time with my bubbies (my dogs), cooking, baking, thrift shopping, and fashion. I find living well in the faces of the people I meet, their smiles, and the differences I can make in their lives.