We were blessed with two grandmothers who couldn’t have been more different. We had a mumu-wearing, yard sale-loving, karaoke-singing, never-embarassed, always-squealing Grandma; and a Ragtop Jeep-driving, Beach Boys-blasting, let’s-get-you-the-right-lipstick-shade Jojo. All our lives, Grandma would stand on her porch as you were pulling away, waving until you were long out of sight; Jojo would pick you up with the top down, ready to teach you about Jerry Lee Lewis on the drive. Throughout our lives, the thing they had in common was: you were always safe and wanted at Grandma’s or Jojo’s house. Around ten years ago, they began to share one other big thing– Parkinson’s Disease and its effects. We’ve watched as they both handled this disease with grace and as much dignity as it will allow, but the impacts it made on our family are immeasurable.
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Grandma never, and I do mean never, stopped moving. We spent nearly every weekend and holiday at her house. She was the kind of Grandma who couldn’t get enough time with you. She visited and fed many families in town. She was a regular singer at nursing homes and hospitals, for those that liked Delta Dawn specifically (her favorite karaoke song). She took us to houses of those sick or lonely, and she’d just sit with them and talk, so they’d be less lonely. I know people say that about their loved ones, but she really was the most selfless woman we’ve ever known.
We wish there were words to adequately describe this woman. She bent to our every whim and whimsy. She inspired humor within us. She never took herself too seriously, and was the first one to laugh at herself. She said she didn’t have favorites, then wink at Jesse, and laugh so hard when we whined. She marched along Kara’s cheerleading squad for an entire eight-count, so proud.
Maybe that’s the best way to describe her: she showed up for us, always proud, love and joy in her eyes. And she did anything she could do to make us feel loved, and seen.
Grandma was a true force of nature with the most contagious laugh and endless energy to help her family, friends, and community. When she was diagnosed with Parkinson disease in 2018, she continued to do all that she could for her family, and though her body and mind slowed down, her spirit never did. We lost this love of our lives in September of 2023, and it’s still unfathomable that she’s not sitting in her chair, calling everyone she loves nightly to tell them so.
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When Jojo was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she took a pad and paper to the first appointment, ready to strategize her next steps. She soon began boxing, working with a speech therapist so as not to lose the volume in her voice. She was diligent, disciplined, strategic. She has been determined to fight this, but there have been days that got her down, and we know that if Jojo is down, nobody could be up. She is the best mom, grandmother, great-grandmother we know. She is an expect-storyteller; she has the world’s best laugh, and is a handywoman-extraordinaire. She keeps our hearts and bellies full, and always has a new game to play. She is a warrior. We raise money for her and people like her, to get more answers than questions, and to live as unimpacted by this disease as possible.
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Jesse was in medical school when both of our grandmothers were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He had the opportunity to participate in research with brain stimulators, a treatment of Parkinson’s disease, and the difference these devices and other medication can have in the lives of patients with Parkinson’s is truly amazing. The impact that boxing and speech therapies have had on our family and other patients has been remarkable. Of course, patient education, therapies, and research into treatments and potential cures require funding. The Parkinson foundation is an excellent resource for patients and research groups, and we are privileged and honored to raise money to further their cause.
Almost a year to the day that our grandmother Linda Faulk passed, we will be running the Twin Cities Marathon with the Parkinson’s Champion in her memory and in honor of our grandmother Mary Jo Ray who continues her battle with Parkinson’s disease.
