Exclusive: One executive's battle with young-onset Parkinson's disease

June 16, 2016

Vito Cosmo

Vito Cosmo said he is having some of the best years of his career at Grant Thornton, despite dealing with a shocking medical diagnosis he received a few years ago that turned his life upside down.

The managing director for the state and local taxes group in the firm’s Philadelphia office, Cosmo was diagnosed with what is now known as young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2012 at age 49.

Parkinson’s — a condition that Muhamad Ali battled for years prior to his death earlier this month— is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement.

Cosmo hasn’t let his condition slow him down. To the contrary, he continues to work while becoming an active member of The Parkinson’s Council — where he serves as treasurer. He works to raise awareness of the disorder, and to raise money for research.

“Things are going well,” Cosmo said in an interview last week. “I am physically doing well. I am taking the right cocktail of medicines and working closely with my neurologist [at Pennsylvania Hospital].”

The collection of the medicine Vito Cosmo takes on a daily basis as he battle's…

I first wrote about Cosmo a few years ago as his advocacy efforts led some to call him “the Michael J. Fox of Philadelphia” — a reference to the Hollywood actor who was diagnosed with the disease at age 29. Cosmo was not a stranger to me. We both grew up in Upper Southampton Township and we were classmates in middle school and high school. We reconnected shortly before his diagnosis on the pickleball courts at Masons Mill Park in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, not far from where we both grew up.

Cosmo, in our conversation last week, said as part of his exercise regimen he has resumed playing pickleball [a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong] and has even enrolled in the Rock Steady Boxing program at Pennsylvania Hospital’s Parkinson’s rehab center.

“You participate in three-minute rounds but not against an opponent,” he said, describing the boxing program. “You go to different stations where you do things like shadow boxing, hitting a punching bag and jumping rope. You only get a 30-second break between stations. The first time I did it I was soaked [in sweat]. There wasn’t a dry spot on my shirt.”

In addition to the exercise and the dozens of pills he takes each day, Cosmo adheres to a strict diet and takes a variety of vitamin, herbal and mineral supplements.

At work Cosmo has had to make adjustments, and he praises Grant Thornton for all the assistance they have provided to him.

He said he can’t take notes anymore, so the company arranged for others to take notes for him. He also occasionally needs to leave work early or come in late because of fatigue. The company lets him maintain a flexible work schedule.

Grant Thornton has also established a “Diverse Abilities Group,” for which Cosmo serves as executive sponsor.

“This whole experience has made me more of a ‘big picture’ type of person,” he said.”I used to write all these very detailed lists. Now I focus on what is important instead of the tedium. I think it has made me much more effective at work.”

Wendy Lewis, executive director of The Parkinson Council, had high praise for his work with the Bala Cynwyd-based organization.

“Vito has been a tremendous member of our board and so vital to our mission,” she said. “Everything he does is from his heart and soul. He has elevated our board in a way we haven’t had in a very long time. He made himself the walking and talking face of our organization.”

Lewis said Cosmo has helped his employer, and others, learn more about what Parkinson’s disease is and what it isn’t.

“Vito is right in the middle of his career,” Lewis said. “A lot of people who get a diagnosis like he did may want to go hide. He didn’t. Parkinson’s doesn’t let you. He took the high road and didn’t ever try to hide it.”

Lewis also lauded Grant Thornton for going “way beyond” the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and engaging in and sponsoring a variety of activities to help raise money for the council.

Both Grant Thornton and Cosmo will be honored at the Parkinson Council’s annual Golf Classic later this month. This year’s event will be held at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club and Sunnybrook Golf Club on June 27. 

The Council’s Parkinson Golf Classic has raised $4.2 million since its inception.

John George covers health care, biotech/pharmaceuticals and sports business.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/06/16/grant-thorton-managing-director-cosmo-parkinsons.html