Carson City couple honored during Parkinson’s event

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and on April 11 the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Reno Information & Referral Center held its annual event promoting awareness.

The Parkinson’s Disease April Proclamation Event was held at Summit Estates in south Reno. The event featured various speakers, including doctors and those who deal with family members with Parkinson’s and how they’re affected. Representatives from Gov. Steve Sisolak’s office, the offices of U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen and the office of Rep. Mark Amodei were also among those at the event.

Retired Carson City teacher Brian Reedy, who was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s when he was 49 in 2010, was also among the speakers. Reedy spoke about Young Onset Parkinson’s. The event’s focus was on the role of family in Parkinson’s disease.

Brian and his wife, Lily, received certificates of recognition from Cortez Masto, Rosen and Amodei at the event. “We were blown away,” Brian said. “It was just amazing. We were very humbled.”

Lily now has Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer on her liver. Brian said described Lily’s tumors as stable. “Her health is pretty good, all things considering,” Brian said.

Despite their challenges, Brian said he and his wife’s optimism remains unwavering.

The Reedys will also be bicycling 427 miles across the state of Iowa from July 21-28 during RAGBRAI, a seven-day bicycle ride across the state of Iowa, which is the oldest, largest and longest multi-day recreational bicycle touring event in the world.

The Reedys will be supported in their ride by the Davis Phinney Foundation and Pedaling for Parkinson’s. It’s fitting the Reedys will be participating in RAGBRAI since Brian said Davis Phinney will be honored during the event.

Phinney was a professional cycling racer and has more wins than any American racer. He was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s and began his foundation to fight the disease. “Davis has been a good friend of ours,” Brian said.

Brian showed symptoms of Parkinson’s for three years before he was finally diagnosed. “So it took a while,” said Brian about his diagnosis.

Those who would like to support the Reedys’ participation in RAGBRAI this summer, the fight against Parkinson’s and Lily’s battle against Metastatic Breast Cancer can visit https://www.gofundme.com/team-reedy-nevada-ragbrai.