Making A Difference: Woman Helps Patients With Parkinson's Disease

June 28, 2016

A Kentucky woman’s diagnosis gave her the chance to make a difference in the lives of others.

Five days a week, Ann Hanley volunteers at the UK Hospital as a patient advocate for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

"Each visit, each time the patient comes into the clinic, I sit with them, I talk with them, I educate them,” said Hanley.

She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s ten years ago. 

“I pretty much lived the gamut of everything that you could possibly expect. Good, bad, and ugly of what you would have to go through with this disease. And it wasn't easy,” she told LEX 18.

She is using her diagnosis to lift others up, rather than let her disease get her down.

“I bring them along, take them by the hand, whatever it takes in order to keep them going, one foot after the other, one day after the other to make sure they never quit, they never give up, they never just stop hoping,” said Hanley.

For certain brain surgeries, many patients have to stay awake. Hanley will sit by their side the entire time.

She has sat in on more than 200 brain surgeries. Hanley has also started her own non-profit to fund groundbreaking Parkinson’s research at UK 

Hospital.http://www.lex18.com/story/32329726/making-a-difference-woman-helps-patients-with-parkinsons-disease