Meet Jonann

Jonann Dellen is a force. She befriends everyone, and does so with, humor and relentless teasing. If she's in the room, you know it.

Jonann was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) just two years ago (2022), although she started showing symptoms in 2018. "My foot was dragging, and my hands were numb. Everywhere I went, people would comment that something was off." Her initial diagnosis from an orthopedic surgeon was spinal stenosis. Then her primary care doctor watched her move from a chair to the examining table. Her slowed movement and stiff right arm caused him to refer her to a neurologist. It was then that she received the news that she had PD and spinal stenosis.

She worked for over 30 years as a registered nurse - at a hospital, then a residential treatment center, and finally in inpatient hospice, which she loved. Without knowing exactly why, she eventually had to move to something less strenuous. She then worked for the Butler Police Department as a meter maid, but ultimately had to quit due to symptoms she could not control.

When asked what she misses the most, she says "My face. I used to be very photogenic, and I always had a smile on my face. When I look in the mirror now I see a ghost." She also suffers from expressive aphasia, which means she knows what she wants to say, but can't get the words out. "My standard line is, 'I'm sorry, I have a brain disorder!'"

Jonann says the best part about having PD are the friendship and support of new friends, especially Linda Kozik (the "energizer bunny"). She also loves Halloween, and goes to the gym in costume for several days around October 31st.

Her long-term goal is simple: to serve God and get to heaven. But until that time, "I want to spend as much quality time as possible with the people I love." Among those are her husband, Marty, daughter, Amber, and 9-year-old grandson, Killian.

Meet Ron

Better known as the "Italian Stallion," Ron Lunardi is always smiling. Then again, he has a lot to smile about: a wife of 50 years, two daughters who call him every day, and three grandchildren, all local.

Parkinson's is a part of his life, but he is not defined by it. "It's not a death sentence," he says. "Someday I will die with Parkinson's, not because of it." He believes the right attitude – and exercise – can go a long way in dealing with PD.

Diagnosed 10 years ago, after six years he made the decision to go ahead with Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, which has worked fairly well for him. "I had one too many falls to ignore the DBS option, and I still occasionally fall. It's unnerving, but part of the package."

Ron has travelled the world, and after the surgery, he and his wife, Chris, visited the Holy Land, which is by far his most memorable trip.A former accountant and partner, Ron misses being able to effectively counsel clients with a robust voice, a common symptom as the disease progresses. He still has a few clients, but is retired from the daily demands of it all.

Overall, Ron wouldn't change a thing about his life. "I couldn't write the script of my life any better. A supportive, loving wife and kids -- I am a lucky guy."

Meet Dean

Dean is one of those guys you instantly like. He is the real deal – slow to talk about himself – and he gets choked up when he talks about life after being diagnosed with Parkinson's two years ago and the support of his wife, Lisa. He considers Parkinson's Disease "a blessing," because it woke him up from years of taking life for granted. He notes, "It wasn't until I was made to take a good hard look at my life and values, then reassess what is really important, did the colors in the photograph get brighter for me and the true picture of my life came into focus."

I got to know Dean at Fit 4 Boxing's Rock Steady class, which is specially designed for those with Parkinson's. Dean has a lifetime history of physical fitness. He played football, basketball, baseball, and track in high school, played Division 1 college football for the University of Rhode Island and always stayed in shape. On the days he doesn't box, he heads to Planet Fitness two days a week to perform weightlifting exercises on all the major body muscle systems. Dean wears a Fitbit and averages 60,000 steps a week, which equates to 27 miles a week.

You are a true Warrior, Dean!