Ryan Reynolds unfortunately understands Parkinson’s disease more than most.
The “Deadpool & Wolverine” star, 47, lost his father – James “Jim” Reynolds – about a decade ago to the illness, the second-most common neurological disease behind Alzheimer’s. Ryan has long been a part of the fight for Parkinson’s awareness, and is furthering that effort by announcing a new campaign, “More to Parkinson’s,” in partnership with Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that worsens over time and is incurable, affecting 1 million people in the United States. Patients lose dopamine-producing brain cells important for normal movement. Symptoms include everything from speech changes to impaired balance and stiff muscles, though the severity varies by person.
The goal of “More to Parkinson’s?” To teach caregivers, patients and care providers about an aspect of the disease no one talks about that much: Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions. About half of those who have Parkinson’s may have hallucinations or delusions as their disease progresses (the cause is unknown), though they may present differently for each person. And most don’t share these details with their doctors.
“It’s something I had no idea about back then,” Reynolds says in an interview, reflecting on his father’s illness. Jim Reynolds was diagnosed in 1998 at age 57. The website offers resources and signs to look out for, as well as potential treatment.
“If I could go…
