Ryan Oevermann was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the young age of 43. Chronicles of a Parky is a true testament to his resilience, facing Parkinson's, but finding so much more. Through humour and empathy, he inspires us to embrace adversity with grace, reminding us that with determination and positivity, we can conquer any challenge. This memoir is a poignant reminder to cherish every moment and live authentically, no matter the obstacles. Laughing one moment and crying the next, Chronicles of a Parky will have you marvelling at the tenacity of the human spirit.
This funny, courageous story took me by surprise. Expecting the chronicle of the onset of an illness, I found instead a heartfelt embrace of living through whatever life throws one’s way. The author’s remarkable journey and stoicism inspired me to be fierce and true to myself.
I had the privilege of meeting Ryan when we participated in an author panel in beautiful Sun Peaks, British Columbia on September 7, 2024. He impressed me as a humble, hopeful, humorous, loving person. These qualities and more come through in this book. I enjoyed reading it. I learned a lot about Parkinson's and the day-to-day challenges of living with it. We all face challenges in life. The book inspired me to face mine in a more positive way. An especially helpful lesson I learned is to take better advantage of times when I'm "on" [feeling well, clever, energetic, etc.] and patiently ride out times when I'm "off."
A fun, accessible and thoughtful read - as much a set of life lessons and learnings for everyone just as much as it weaves in Ryan's journey with Parkinson's Disease