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What Will Life Be Like In 20 Years With…

Parkinson’s has taught me how to live better each day—but one question still lingers: what will life look like in 20 years?

The best quality of life after 20 years with Parkinson’s is linked to a few key factors—and every one of them aligns with my journey:

✅ earlier diagnosis (before 65), which often means slower progression;

✅ a tremor-dominant subtype, which tends to be more benign;

✅ regular exercise, the strongest tool for slowing symptom progression;

✅ equally important are a strong support system—family, community, and a well-rounded care team;

✅ a positive mindset that includes staying engaged in meaningful activities, hobbies, and social connections

None of us is guaranteed 20 years, so plan for the future—but don’t forget to live fully in the moment. Live today.

To donate, use the url in my profile contact info or DM me.

The picture is AI of a slightly older version of me ( not 20 years ).

My nails are red in real life 🤣

Red Gel Nails On Man For Parkinson’s Awareness

If you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, how far would you go for the cause?

Yesterday, I had face-to-face conversations throughout the day with about 15 different people—both individuals and small groups—using my painted nails as a conversation starter to talk about Parkinson’s. It worked!

I approached two ladies as they had their afternoon wine and said “how do you like my nails?” I followed with “I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in April.” 

☝️ That approach led to a meaningful conversation about Parkinson’s. Each of them shared about two people ( four total ) they knew who had, or were still living with, the disease—including one woman’s father and her sister-in-law, who was diagnosed in her 40s. The conversation ended with one of the ladies saying, “You’ve got this.”

The red nails worked really well—great, even. Except for one interaction.

One lady, in a one-to-one conversation, became so fixated on the fact that I’m a man with painted nails: “I’m having a hard time looking at your nails” …. “men should be men and women should be women” – the noticeable look of shock on her face. She couldn’t see the bigger picture: Parkinson’s disease. She couldn’t embrace my creative marketing. 

You do you.

You can’t please everyone.

Most Will Get It – Some Won’t – So What – Next

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. 

I can’t sit around while I’m able to make a difference.

I genuinely enjoyed every conversation except that one, and that one won’t change how I choose to fight Parkinson’s or start meaningful conversations. 

It was a great day.

In addition…

…The barbershop put my fundraising flyer in their front window, facing the sidewalk right above their hours. 

…The shake shop ( no pun intended ) next door to the barbershop is planning a fundraising sponsor day with me after the first of the year.

I had a great morning run, an OMT session at the doctor and an awesome afternoon swim.

Life is good.

“You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I’m an easy target. Yeah, you’re right, I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you… but I don’t like to hurt people’s feelings. Well, you think what you want about me; I’m not changing. I like… I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. ‘Cause I’m the real article. What you see is what you get.”

Del Griffith (John Candy)

Hey, DPAC Dad Laughing With Sons: “I Have Parkinson’s.”

The dad was the instigator, drawing attention to my nails and prompting laughter from his teenage sons—without knowing the reason behind them.

Brenda noticed it immediately: a father pointing, sons laughing.

I can’t help but wonder if their reaction would have been different had they known this was intentional—a marketing ploy to spark conversation and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. It’s part of my mission to raise $50,000 while training for the Augusta Ironman 70.3.

In that sense, the social experiment worked. It revealed how quickly people judge without understanding the “why.” And yes, I could just as easily judge their reasons—but that’s not the point.

YOU DO YOU. Let people live their lives.

I’m reminded every day that I have Parkinson’s Disease—like this morning, when my right foot and toes moved on their own under the stress of exercise.

I showed up to swim at the YMCA but forgot my goggles, so I got on the bike instead.

One word for red is determination—and I am determined to fight.

Below are two amazing replies that I got on LinkedIn from Ryan Conklin:

This lands. The judgment without context, the assumptions people make in a split second, it’s everywhere. And what you’re doing, turning that judgment into awareness, takes courage most people won’t understand until they’ve lived something that can’t be hidden.

What strikes me isn’t just the nails or the stares. It’s your willingness to be visible with something people will misread. Most of us spend our lives avoiding being misunderstood, me included. You’re leaning into it as a teaching moment, one I needed as I move toward my own year of owning my voice and building a new relationship with shame.

The line ‘YOU DO YOU. Let people live their lives’ is exactly it. The judgment says more about them than you. And the fact that you’re training for an Ironman 70.3 while your body is literally fighting you every day? That’s not just determination. That’s choosing to show up fully alive in a body that doesn’t make it easy.

Grateful you’re using this to raise awareness. The social experiment worked—not because they laughed, but because now we’re talking about it. That’s how change happens.”

May this conversation reach all the way back to those children that were taught judgement over curiosity in the moment.

And May it reach the adults before that next opportunity they face to teach hate over modeling love, curiosity and connection.

Free Publications from Parkinson’s Foundation

$1,000 Single Parkinson’s Donation To Close The Week

In a text, the small business owner said, “Happy to help. Having a personal/business connection to you makes it meaningful to give and give generously!”

With a $1,000 donation, I’d only need 50 total to reach my $50,000 goal by 9.27.26. But any amount matters. Even a $10 donation helps. I would need a lot more of those to reach my goal.

As of this post, I’m just getting started, but to see how I’m doing so far (not counting an early 2026 $10,000 commitment from Kymanox CEO Stephen Perry, which isn’t showing as of this post), check out www.David2026.com.

Parkinson’s Awareness – RED: Courage · Strength · Determination

Painted red nails on men may never turn into another Ice Bucket Challenge—but if they spark even one honest conversation about Parkinson’s, I’m willing to wear them for as long as it takes.

I live with Parkinson’s. And I’m training for multiple triathlons in 2026, including the big one—Augusta Ironman 70.3. 

I’m 59. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. Now’s the time to go for it.

The 2025 journey was interrupted. A major diagnosis just weeks before a race wasn’t part of the plan—but neither is quitting. 2026 is a reset.

Side note, I got a $1,000 single donation Friday to close out a great fundraising week.

So I’ll ask you this:

How bold are you willing to be for a cause you believe in?

$1,539 For Parkinson’s Disease In Under 10 Minutes

I spoke for about three minutes at an event with roughly 40–50 people in attendance. Within just ten minutes of stepping off the stage, the group had contributed $1,539 to my Parkinson’s fundraiser.

The response was incredible, and it’s inspired me to look for more opportunities to speak in the Raleigh–Durham area to raise awareness and support for Parkinson’s disease.

To donate to my fundraiser visit www.David2026.com

To invite me to speak, please text to 919.723.8453 or email David@TheUnsteadyShow.com

The Faces Of Parkinson’s Disease

When I typed “Parkinson’s” into a stock-photo site I use, most of the results showed older men. I chose the one above on the right and paired it with a recent photo of me after finishing a 5K personal run at the local park on a 40-degree day.

I’m in the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease. There may come a time when I don’t have a smile on my face, or when I need a walker to get around. But right now, I’m still smiling, and I’m still active. I’m not going to sit back and let Parkinson’s decide what happens to my body.

One of the most effective ways to fight Parkinson’s—aside from medication—is to stay active. And the best way to stay active is not to overthink it. Just start moving.

As I write this, my right leg is trembling. When I’m swimming, Parkinson’s sometimes shows up there too—making it hard to kick usually or causing my right leg to tremor and move on its own.

Whatever you’re facing, keep fighting for as long as you can. Don’t slow down until your body truly leaves you no choice—and even then, there may still be things you can do. Something is always better than nothing. So get moving, and keep moving.