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Staying Present: A Story of Strength, Family, and Moving Forward with Parkinson’s Disease

Health2025-06-20

(BPT) - Gasper, a 79-year-old father and business owner from New Jersey, has always believed in the value of hard work. For over 40 years, he ran his own automotive business, often putting in long days and seven-day work weeks. "I was a hustler," he says with a smile. "I worked hard, and I enjoyed it." That drive never left him, not after selling the business or being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the summer of 2022.

Parkinson's disease, a progressive disorder of the central nervous system, has become the fastest-growing neurological disorder worldwide; just within the United States, approximately 1 million patients have been diagnosed.^1,2 Some studies show that the prevalence of PD is nearly 50% higher than the current estimate, with approximately 90,000 new cases each year.³

PD affects the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain that control movement, resulting in the characteristic slowness of movement, stiffness, resting tremors, and impaired balance so often associated with the disease.

Gasper's days look a little different after his Parkinson's diagnosis, but his determination to make every day count and his love for his family is strong. He starts most mornings with either going to church or a combination of physical, occupational, or speech therapy. He keeps himself busy, not just for his own well-being, but because it brings him joy to stay connected with others in his community.

"I do best in a crowd," he says. "And my family makes sure I stay busy." That family includes three siblings, two grandchildren, and two children including his daughter, Dr. Jill Giordano Farmer, DO, who is also his Movement Disorder Specialist. The line between family and clinical care can be delicate, but Dr. Farmer manages it with empathy and purpose.

"She's amazing," Gasper says proudly. "She thinks I can't take care of myself, but I always tell her I can, as long as I listen to her."

A Legacy of Care

Dr. Farmer plays a unique dual role, combining clinical experience with an intimate understanding of her father's personality, habits, and needs. "It's not just about prescribing medication," she says. "It's about walking alongside someone you love through every stage. I'm his doctor, but I'm also his daughter, and I want to help make each day a little easier for him."

She's the one who first noticed early signs of Parkinson's. At first, it was thought to be a "trick knee," but Dr. Farmer noticed changes in his voice, posture, and sleep. Eventually, the diagnosis became clear. "I didn't look it up," Gasper says. "I read the pamphlets the doctor gave me and listened to my daughter."

Dr. Farmer's approach was never to overwhelm him with information. Instead, she met him where he was, offering resources only when he was ready. "A lot of this was buffered by my late wife," Gasper reflects. "She'd filter the info before I was ready to hear it."

Navigating Treatment Options

He began treatment gradually, trying different approaches like immediate release carbidopa/levodopa with his care team, while also staying consistent with exercise, therapy, and family support. Levodopa and carbidopa treatments have become the gold standard for managing Parkinson's symptoms in the absence of a cure.

As his Parkinson's progressed, Gasper had difficulty maintaining his medication routine. That's when Dr. Farmer introduced him to CREXONT^® (oral carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules), approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

With his new treatment regimen in place, Gasper found more consistency in his days.

With CREXONT, Gasper feels more like himself again, present, capable, and connected to the life he cherishes. What matters most to Gasper is feeling present and capable of doing the things he loves, like spending time with his grandchildren, one of whom reminds him of his late wife, attending church, and vacationing with his family. CREXONT has helped him reclaim those moments, offering more consistency in his days.

"If I can help somebody even an inch and make their life better, I hit a home run. That's it," he says of sharing his story with Parkinson's and his experience taking CREXONT.

The Path Forward

For Dr. Farmer, the experience of being both physician and daughter has only deepened her passion for helping others. "When you have a successful outcome in treatment, you want to give hope that there are options - that you're not alone."

She often tells her own patients about Gasper's experience, not to prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution, but to make the path forward feel a little more real and less intimidating. "When doctors are asked, 'What would you do for your own family?' this is what I chose for mine," says Dr. Farmer.

Gasper doesn't like to talk much about his diagnosis outside the family, not because he's ashamed, but because he doesn't want people to look at him differently. Still, he chooses to share his story with the hope that it might help someone else feel just a little more understood.

"I don't know what the future holds," he says honestly. "But I'm working on it now. And I'm lucky to have people beside me."

Gasper's experience with CREXONT is his own and may not reflect the experience of every patient. For some people, CREXONT may cause falling asleep during daily activities. Side effects may include nausea and anxiety. Individual results will vary. Always speak with your doctor to determine if CREXONT may be right for you. Only a healthcare provider can assess your condition and guide you to the appropriate treatment options.

To hear more real patient experiences like Gasper's and for more information about CREXONT, visit crexont.com.

CREXONT^® Important Safety Information

INDICATION

CREXONT^® (carbidopa and levodopa) extended-release capsules is a prescription medication for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's disease caused by infection or inflammation of the brain, or Parkinson's disease-like symptoms that may result from carbon monoxide or manganese poisoning in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take CREXONT with antidepressant medications known as nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.

Do not take CREXONT with other carbidopa-levodopa preparations without consulting your healthcare provider.

CREXONT may cause falling asleep during activities of daily living, somnolence, or dizziness. Avoid activities that require alertness such as driving and operating machinery until you know how CREXONT affects you.

The most common side effects that may occur with CREXONT are nausea and anxiety.

It is important to avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction of CREXONT. If you are discontinuing CREXONT, work with your healthcare provider to taper the dose over time to reduce the risk of fever or confusion.

You may take CREXONT with or without food, but taking it with food may decrease or delay its effect. Consider taking the first dose of the day about 1 to 2 hours before eating.

Swallow CREXONT whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the capsules.

Do not take CREXONT with alcohol.

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

Have any heart conditions, especially if you have had a heart attack or irregular heartbeats
Experience hallucinations or abnormal thoughts and behaviors
Have an inability to control urges to gamble, have increased sexual urges, or experience other intense urges
Have thoughts of suicide or have attempted suicide
Have abnormal involuntary movements that appear or get worse during treatment
Have ever had a peptic ulcer or glaucoma
Become or intend to become pregnant. Based on animal data, CREXONT may cause fetal harm
Are breastfeeding during therapy

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Specialty, a division of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC at1-877-835-5472or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 orwww.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please read the full Prescribing Information. For more information talk to your healthcare provider.

References

Dorsey ER et al. JAMA Neurol. 2018;75(1):9-10.
Marras et al. NPJ Parkinson's Dis. 2018;4:21.
Willis AW, Roberts E, Beck JC, et al. Incidence of Parkinson disease in North America. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2022;8:170. doi:10.1038/s41531-022-00410-y

PP-ADW-CREX-US-0081 6/2025

Source: BrandPoint

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