There are over 13,300 British Columbians living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a number that is expected to increase 65% by 2031. One of the first illustrations of Parkinson’s disease was published in 1886, and since then, it has been widely understood as a disease that only affects the senior population, primarily characterised by shaking. Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) is committed to changing that perception. The truth is that Parkinson’s doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. It affects people from all walks of life, and at PSBC, we are firm believers that the diversity of our community strengthens us. We’re in this together.

This is the second year PSBC has run 'This is Parkinson’s disease,' a campaign that will reshape your understanding of PD. A campaign that will bring together individuals across the province, country and internationally, in an effort to better the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease. To do this, we’re sharing the stories of real-life British Columbians living with PD.

Hilary is 25 years old and lives in Langley with her husband Justin. She began experiencing Parkinson’s symptoms at the age of 14 and, after almost a decade, was diagnosed with PD. She credits her faith in God and her strong family support system as her source of strength. Currently, she is nourishing her creative side by working as a freelance graphic designer and website developer. In Hilary’s spare time, she takes part in the rigorous exercise program CrossFit and runs her own website and blog. Recently, her neurologist recommended her as a candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery and she has since been placed on a three year waitlist for an assessment with Dr. Honey, the only neurosurgeon who specialises in DBS in British Columbia.