Steve Quam

Anderson, South Carolina

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008 at age 61. Parkinson’s runs in my family: my father, father’s sister, and grandfather had Parkinson’s. My older sister was diagnosed just a few years ago. I spent most of my professional career in mental health, primarily as a music therapist. Bicycling throughout my life, the most natural exercise after I was diagnosed was an uptick in bicycling challenges. I wanted to give back to the Parkinson’s community and spread the word by example: YOU CAN LIVE WELL WITH PARKINSON’S. I have since completed multiple coast-to-coast bicycle and motorcycle odysseys to raise funds and awareness about just that.

I enjoy presenting at various support groups and events. As an avid cyclist, I join virtual spin classes nearly every day on my recumbent tricycle to keep Parkinson’s at bay. I sum up my approach to living well with Parkinson’s with the phrase: ‘Celebrate what you can do, don’t lament what you can’t do.’ I am thrilled to continue spreading the word about living well with Parkinson’s and the Davis Phinney Foundation as an Ambassador because I know the important difference it can make in the lives of people with Parkinson’s. Even the concept of staying the same is neat because Parkinson’s is a degenerative neurological disorder. But when you see people improve, I find that really exciting!

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