My Story: Roxanne Self
| January 17, 2022
Meet Roxanne!
Originally from Livingston, TN, Roxanne and her husband Gary currently reside in Cookeville, TN.
Roxanne is one of the founding members of the Cookeville Support Group and continues to be active, not only in her local group, but participates in several programs and events with PFP.
Here is what Roxanne has to say about her Parkinson’s journey.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in May of 2011. Frankly, I didn’t know what Parkinson’s was, but I was already a very active person. When I had PD about 6 yrs., a friend in Franklin living with Parkinson’s, told me to look at the groups on Facebook. What information!! I started going to physical therapy (PT) and I soon realized there were no resources for individuals living with PD in this area. I am very much a people person, so at the urging of my PT, I formed the Parkinson’s Support Group of Cookeville & Surrounding. I covered six counties. The Director of the Senior Citizens Center walked in one day, and said she had a room. I was able to form a Rock Steady Boxing Program and the membership grew quickly. Not only was I helping people, but I was having a wonderful time. I thought – Who was this woman!?
At this time I joined the PFP, and we became the PFP Support Group of Cookeville. The PFP introduced me to a Parkinson’s world that I had no idea existed. I made many, many new friends. When I asked what I should do, I was told ” Go do what you do!!” I don’t know what it was either, but ” My pleasure! ” When there were 65 people attending, the PFP came and formed a Steering Committee for the group. I decided to take a step back from leadership became greeter, and mentor.
We are now over 3 years old. I look back and think ” How on earth did I do that!?”. I think it was a God thing.
I did something that should be an inspiration to everyone. Just say ” Yes I Can”.
