Click the image above for more details on Marjorie J Toro's new book.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Focus on a Cure.
Our story of the custom MJ Toro FOCUS logo is included in this wonderful book of Marjories artwork!
Thank you Majorie!
To follow is a passage from the Book Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts. When I read this I was so taken by the message of these few paragraphs that it confirmed for me why we (ann and & I) were blessed with the burden of Parkinson's disease. Ann always tells me that everything happens for a reason and I believe that more and more each day. Some people look to God and say "Why me" I say "Why not me". I believe that I have been given a gift, in that I have the ability to use my medical condition to reach out to people and utilize my experiences to demonstrate how to live with Parkinson's and not to suffer from it. Thank you to all who have read and commented thus far the support is what keeps us moving forward.
Ken
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"If we get caught up in chasing what the world defines as success, we can use our time and talent to do some great things. We might even become famous. But in the end, what does it all mean?
What will people remember us for? Are other peoples lives better because we lived? Did we make a difference? Did we use to the fullest the gifts and abilities God gave us? Did we give our best effort, and did we do it for the right reasons?
God's definition of success is really one of significance---the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. This significance doesn't show up in win-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It's found in the hearts and lives of those we've come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived."
Focus On a Cure as featured at The United Journey For Humatiy Page 6/2008:
The Live Inspirational Voices Of
My Heroes,
Our Heroes,
Humanity's Heroes
A UJFH Community is deeply honored & grateful to feature three tremendously courageous, inspirational, and persevering individuals and/or causes each week in order to create awareness of the extraordinary humanity that still exists in this glorious world.
-Parkinson's disease may actually affect more than one million Americans, if estimated misdiagnosed and undiagnosed cases are combined with the current 500,000 documented cases in the U.S.
-Considering the total at an estimated one million cases, more people suffer from Parkinson's disease than from MS, MD and Lou Gehrig's disease combined.
-Parkinson's disease is the second-most prevalent chronic neurological disorder; only Alzheimer's disease surpasses it in the number of patients afflicted.
-The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown.
-The cost of Parkinson's disease in the U.S. - including medical and surgical treatments, social security payments, patients' loss of income and other factors - is estimated at $25 billion each year.
Our Mission:
To inspire community involvement and
raise awareness for Parkinson’s Disease,
that will fund research to ultimately find a cure.
Our story:
In late 2004 life was good, I had just finished my Bachelors degree after a 20 year hiatus and I was happily married. I thought I had finally made it, I was going to finally live up to my potential that everyone said I was not doing. It was just then when I was riding the highest wave of my life I was blind sided with the news I had Young Onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD).
It was like someone was dangling that carrot of success in front of me on the edge of a cliff and instead of giving me the carrot they pushed me off the cliff. I thought this cannot be happening, every time I get close to success it gets pulled out of my reach. It was this experience that has changed my view on just what success is.
My best friend, who also is my beautiful wife Ann Marie of almost nine years, decided that she was not going to let me wallow in self pity. She began to research this strange new thing in our life called YOPD and educate herself on what was to come and how to deal with it. During her search she came across The Michael J. Fox Foundation site (MJFF); which has a tremendous amount of information for the newly diagnosed as well as general information about current treatments. I am and have always been a fan of Mr. Fox from Family Ties to all his movies but I never thought we would have something in common and never thought it would be YOPD. Ann found on his site a new program they were getting ready to launch later in 2005 called Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research. This was to be a grassroots community based fundraising arm of the MJFF giving anybody the opportunity and tools to organize or host a fundraising event to benefit Parkinson’s research as this is currently no cure.
Ann joined the soon to be Team Fox as “Team Glowienke” but did not tell me of it as this time. I was still busy being mad at the world because I thought YOPD was going to steal my life, boy was I wrong. Ann began planning a walk-a-thon as her first event with Team Fox and finally let me in on the secret. I was overwhelmed that she had done all this and was not sure if it would work. As she was planning the event we started to work together of a name and finally came up with the idea of Focus on a Cure because no matter what we do we want to stay focused on our ultimate goal of funding and finding a cure. To date Focus on a Cure has raised over $31,000 for Parkinson's and we hope to keep pushing that number up as the year goes on with events currently being planned. Because of the efforts of my wife The Focus on a Cure Foundation for Parkinson’s is now an official non-profit company. We have grown our network of friends not only here on myspace but nationally and internationally within the Parkinson’s community.
This is where my new definition of success comes in. I used to think I needed to make a certain amount of money to be considered a success and have the finer things in life to be viewed as successful. I now know that being a success is to be able o look at your life and be satisfied with who you are not what you have in the bank. I have been blessed in my life with many things, a loving wife, a great family and great friends: but my greatest blessing is the burden of Parkinson’s because it has allowed me to become involved in something bigger than me and given me the ability to be a better person than I thought was possible. Success to me is not so much impressing others with what I have but impressing the guy that looks back at me in the mirror every morning with what I give; it is because of Ann and her love and support I am able to be the person I am today.
Thanks for reading our story and being part of Focusing on a Cure for Parkinson’s disease. ..Together we can make this happen!!!..
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."
I know this is a bit late.... but I've been sick and spending a lot of time back and forth to the doctor's. I may have sent you a message already but can't remember. I loved seeing you in the NY Times...it was an amazing piece and great to raise awareness for Parkinson's. Hope all is well on your end. Kaz
I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK EVERYONE FOR THE WONDERFUL EMAIL & COMMENTS I HAVE RECEIVED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. AND FOR THEM THAT DON’T KNOW THE DETAILS OF MY STORY..??? PLEASE, click on the link or copy and paste it in your browser & VISIT THIS AMAZING STORY THAT THE N.S.C.I.A. JUST DID ON ME AND MY LIFE .
WHILE YOUR THERE RESEARCH MORE ABOUT SCI, AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES SOME PEOPLE FACE WITH A SPINAL CORD INJURY. INCLUDING MYSELF… ☺ KEEP ROCKIN & ROLLIN !!!!!
Just read the NY Times piece... That's you featured, right? Great job promoting awareness. My Dad passed away last October. My thoughts, are with you. Keep on fighting for a cure. Best, Steph
Stay strong there buddy! I was a caregiver for my grandfather for many many years as he suffered from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease. We will find a cure!!!
We were so happy to have you here. We can not thank you enough for being here with us. Dad was truly happy with your company. And he was so happy to tell me that he signed the contract. lol! He was being silly. But he was honored to sign the paper of the commercial. Thank you!!!
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Muhammad Ali
