It was an honor to recently stand alongside doctors, advocates, and legislative leaders to increase awareness around Parkinson’s disease and to strengthen support for treatment and research. We came together as medical providers and policymakers to call for wider, more affordable access to medications, innovative therapies, and the comprehensive supports that those living with Parkinson’s deserve.
This issue is personal as I was diagnosed with Parkison’s approximately three years. While living with the disease presents its own challenges, I am hopeful and encouraged by the different advancements in treatment, research, and clinical trials, including the important work at UConn Health. Every breakthrough brings us closer to improving the quality of life for current patients.
My family has been an inspiration source of hope and strength throughout this journey. My son encouraged me to announce my diagnosis, and my wife has been my unwavering source of support. I am deeply grateful for their compassion and grace.
Thanking my family for their support on Parkinson's Disease Awareness Day
Connecticut has taken meaningful steps in recent years to address Parkinson’s disease, particularly by strengthening data collection and supporting research. In 2024, we established a statewide registry on Parkinson’s disease to better track cases, identify trends, and inform research and public health strategies. That data is important to understanding why approximately 20,000 residents in Connecticut have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which makes it the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s.
We want to understand why Parkinson’s affects so many families in our state and invest in the science, care, and community supports that will hopefully one day lead to a future without this disease. I remain committed to standing with patients, caregivers, and researchers in this fight.
