About PMAZ

In 2022 at a Parkinson Foundation Conference, in San Diego, the idea for a mentorship program in Phoenix, AZ was born.  I listened to a presentation on how a person with young onset Parkinson's disease was helped and supported by a mentor.  This inspired me to bring a Parkinson's mentorship program to the Valley. 

Diligent in my research, I learned about a mentorship program for people with disabilities at Ability 360, a Center for Independent Living in Phoenix.  Ability360 promotes programs to empower people with all disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community.  Polly Queen, at Ability 360 was supportive and encouraged the joining of Parkinson Mentors Arizona and Ability360 to provide a mentorship pathway for people with Parkinson's disease.   From this meeting, my vision for a mentorship program in the Valley blossomed into reality.

Finding people with Parkinson's disease who were advocates and  “fighting” through their symptoms while maintaining a positive attitude and wanting to be the first Parkinson's mentors was less of a challenge.  On April 13, 2024, the first group of 11 mentors was trained followed by a second group of 4 individuals in June.  The need for the program was realized early with our first mentee request only days after the mentors were trained.