Stronger Together - 2024 Unity and support for people with parkinsons

Please join the Parkinson's Walk team as we congratulate Mr. Barry Weaver and family on his journey to honor his father - Howard Grant Weaver.  it has been an honor to collaborate with him and his family during the Hike for Howard. Below is his article about the journey. 

AT Hike for Howard

By Barry Weaver

2, 197.4 miles is a long way, especially on foot! 

On the last Saturday in April, the annual Parkinson’s Walk for a Cure takes place at Mary Crites Park in Circleville. In April 2024, Barry Weaver met with the organizers of the “Parkinson’s Walk for a Cure” event. He shared that he intended to participate in the Parkinson’s Walk, but with a twist: he would walk the entire Appalachian Trail (AT) in honor of his father, Howard, who died from Parkinson’s Disease. This is Barry Weaver’s story . . .

In April 2024, I wanted to do something somewhat amazing in memory of a thoroughly amazing man, my Dad, Howard Weaver. So, I set out to walk the Appalachian Trail in his honor. In addition, I wanted to raise money for the Pickaway County Parkinson’s Walk for a Cure. My Appalachian Trail (AT) trek became “The AT Hike for Howard.”

The AT passes through 13 states from Georgia to Maine. I completed a “flip-flop” hike. I began in the middle of the AT in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, then hiked north to Mt. Katahdin, Maine, the northern terminus of the AT. 

My son, Grant, joined me for the first 5 days. We hiked the Maryland panhandle together. I continued, chasing Spring through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. After conquering Mt. Katahdin in August, I took an Amtrak train back to my starting point, Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. From there, I hiked South.

As I hiked South, I was chasing Autumn. The southern states of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia were less rigorous than the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. Thus, I averaged 19 miles per day. In mid-September, I climbed Springer Mountain in Georgia—the southern terminus of the AT. My emotions flowed.

The AT Hike for Howard took 146 days to complete. I met people from all over the world and saw snakes and bears and porcupines. I wore out 5 pairs of shoes and fell down 19 times. There was heat. There was rain. Yet, not once did I consider giving up. My “Why?” was too powerful to stop—I was hiking in honor and memory of my father, Howard Weaver. 

The Facebook page entitled “AT Hike for Howard” is still online. There, you will find Howard Weaver’s story, facts about Parkinson’s Disease, News from the Trail from Barry Weaver’s AT Hike, and contains links to donate online to the Pickaway County Parkinson’s Fund at the Pickaway County Community Foundation (PCCF). You can ClickHere to link directly to PCCF's webpage. Currently, total funds raised are approaching the number of miles hiked on the “AT Hike for Howard” (2,197). 

All funds will be used to assist any local family (i.e., patient, carepartner) with QOL devices. Examples of Quality of life (QOL) devices/services provided but not limited to those families experiencing a loved one with PD through the local Parkinson's Fund include: high-standing walkers, laser appliance for walkers when gait freezing is experienced, lift chairs, weighted utensil sets, weighted pens, plates, all costs for the OhioHealth Parkinson's Wellness classes. Exercise is one of the most effective therapies for controlling PD symptoms and managing the progression of the disease. 

The Parkinson's fund has purchased additional equipment used in these classes which allows for more personal instruction designed for each individual. Updated PD information is continually provided through an online connected PD community, and the organizer's attendance at the Wellness classes. Additional information, (e.g., Clinical trials, seminars, alternative therapies (surgical and nonsurgical) resources for those with new diagnoses, early onset, caregiver support, etc.) are available to all persons seeking information.