Tom DeStasio is doing everything he can to raise awareness of the disease.
When he was just 12 years old, Tom DeStasio’s father, Bob, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, an illness that has affected millions of people from across the world. Despite how common the disease is, Tom says the awareness level isn’t where it should be.
“No one ever really talks about it,” Tom said. “Not many people know about it.”
Tom, who plays middie on the Cinnaminson High School varsity lacrosse team, says there was a lot going on in schools last month for Autism Awareness Month, and he’d love to see the same happen for Parkinson’s.
To help raise awareness, Tom is dedicating his senior lacrosse season to his dad.
“We wrap tape around our helmets and write on it something we dedicate [our season to,]” Tom said.
Tom, who plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy, explained Parkinson’s is caused by a loss of brain cells and can cause tremors and slowed movement. As the cells die, the brain produces less dopamine — the chemical that affects movement, mood, memory and more. Parkinson’s can inhibit the ability to walk for those stricken with the disease. There is no cure.
“My dad was always the guy who did stuff around the house. He was good with electronics and stuff,” Tom said. “[Now,] he can’t really do stuff. He can do stuff for a little bit and then he’ll have to go sit down.”
Tom’s mother, Theresa, says she didn’t know Tom was going to dedicate his season to his dad until Tom decorated his helmet.
“I thought it was great because living with the disease, I know it’s hard on my son,” Theresa said. “I think it was a sign that he really does think a lot of his dad and it truly does affect him.”
Tom and his dad have always had a good relationship, and Parkinson’s hasn’t changed that.
“We’re still as close as we always were,” Tom said.
One of Tom’s goals in dedicating his season to his dad was for people to see his helmet and ask him about the disease, providing him an opportunity to spread awareness.
“Sometimes being a guy, you don’t talk about it as much,” Theresa said, adding Tom is someone who is always aware of what’s going on around him and is very in tune to other’s emotions. “He just wants to be able to do something to let his dad know how much he means to him.”
Tom’s dad has now been living with Parkinson’s disease for six years, and Tom has watched the disease progress before his eyes. With only a few weeks left in his senior season, Tom is hoping to raise as much awareness as he can.
“It’s for him, and it’s for Parkinson’s,” Tom said.
For more information on Parkinson’s disease or to make a donation to the National Parkinson Foundation, visit www.parkinson.org.
