~Who We Are~

 MOVERS & SHAKERS  is a grassroots support organization for those dealing with Young Onset Parkinson's and other movement disorders.
(Parkinson Plus Diseases, Multiple Systems Atrophy)

The concept of MOVERS & SHAKERS is one of outreach and support. It was founded in 2003, by 2 people with Young Onset Parkinson Disease. Michael J. Church and Gretchen Garie.

Both founders share in the trials & tribulations of dealing with PD at a time in their lives when they were still trying to get it all together. Both are raising children, with all of the activities surrounding them.They had careers... and had to say good bye to them and fight social security for benefits. They understand what it is means to battle daily with the limitations that PD places on them.

 It is the concern of this organization that there are young people diagnosed with Parkinson's that deal daily with the fear of losing their jobs, their families and even their quality of life.

Too many young people worldwide are diagnosed every day with this disease and end up falling through the cracks of a bureaucratic system that is ill-equipped to provide for them.

MOVERS & SHAKERS in cooperation with other local and national organizations reach out to the Young Onset Parkinson's community to provide support, education, and awareness, not only to the person living with YOPD and their families, but to also bring the same concepts to their communities, medical practioners, and legislators.