Isabell Senft-Daniel
Knoxville, Tennessee and Illinois
My connection to Parkinson’s started almost 25 years ago when I was working as a physical therapist in Germany. Seeing many people with Parkinson’s at the time, I became passionate about helping these individuals improve their quality of life. After moving to Tennessee, my first client with Parkinson’s in the US had belonged to a support group before she had moved to eastern Tennessee. She asked me if I would be willing to start a support group in our community, and, working with many other people with Parkinson’s, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to help.
With more than 40 people in attendance at our first support group meeting, I became the founder of PJ Parkinson’s Support and named the organization after my first client in the US. Now, five years later, the group has grown to include other support groups in the surrounding area, putting Eastern Tennessee on the map as a huge resource for those living with Parkinson’s.
I have fallen in love with all my Parkinson’s friends and am constantly inspired by the uplifting, funny, encouraging side of Parkinson’s. Living well to me means enjoying life every day and to use my talent to motivate others.