My Journey with Parkinson's Disease
A story of hope and personal transformation.
For more than thirty years, Robert E. Spekman has lived with Parkinson's disease. He was diagnosed on January 2, 1995 at the height of his career as a professor and consultant at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. What began as a devastating diagnosis gradually became the start of a deeper inner journey from denial and secrecy to acceptance, healing, and renewed purpose.
Available in eBook, paperback, and audio editions.
Why This Story Matters
Many people experience a life changing moment that reshapes their priorities. It may be illness, loss, or an unexpected event that forces self reflection. For Robert, this moment arrived when his neurologist said the words he never expected to hear. On January 2, 1995 he learned he had Parkinson's disease. At that time he was fully immersed in a fast paced academic and consulting career. His diagnosis shattered his sense of certainty and required him to rethink what truly matters in life.
Robert's Journey in Three Parts
Diagnosis and Denial
Robert noticed early symptoms such as tremors and changes in his gait but continued to push forward. When he finally received his diagnosis in 1995 he was deeply shaken. At the time he continued consulting and teaching while keeping his condition private. The pressure of hiding the illness led to exhaustion and emotional struggle.
Silence, Struggle, and Healing
For four years he shared his diagnosis only with his wife, parents, and sister. Even his daughters did not fully understand what he was facing. He used journaling as a private outlet and later began therapy. Counseling helped him confront his fear and shame and begin rebuilding his inner life.
Acceptance and a New Perspective
Robert eventually embraced practices such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and physical therapy. He later underwent deep brain stimulation surgery which improved his mobility. Over time he discovered a more present and compassionate way of living. Parkinson's became a catalyst for personal growth rather than a limitation.
About the Book
My Journey with Parkinson's Disease: A Story of Hope and Personal Transformation is an honest memoir written from more than three decades of living with Parkinson's disease. Robert describes the shock of diagnosis, the years of secrecy, the emotional turmoil, and the gradual move toward acceptance. The memoir highlights how his condition reshaped his relationships, priorities, and understanding of a meaningful life.
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A personal and relatable account of living with Parkinson's.
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How denial and fear can shift into acceptance.
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Encouragement to rethink priorities after major life events.
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A reminder that meaning and connection remain possible during illness.
Robert E. Spekman
Professor. Scholar. Survivor. Advocate.
Robert E. Spekman, PhD, is the Tayloe Murphy Professor of Business Administration Emeritus at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. He is recognized for his extensive work in business-to-business marketing, supply chain management, channels of distribution, and strategic alliances. After decades of academic leadership and consulting, his life took a dramatic turn in 1995 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. That diagnosis did not define him. Instead, it became the catalyst for a profound inner transformation and the inspiration for his memoir.