One Bridgeport woman’s struggle and efforts to help others

A Bridgeport woman shares the story of her health journey during Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Wendy Tones, 51, has end-stage Parkinson’s disease, a disease characterized by severe stiffness in muscles and limbs.

Due to the condition which makes it difficult to walk or stand without falling, Tones is mostly bedridden.

“At any moment I could freeze up and not be able to walk,” she said. “Sometimes I cry a lot because the suffering is indescribable.

Despite the hardships Parkinson’s has caused her, she says she gets through it with the help of humility, humor and faith.

“I try to fight every day,” she said. “My biggest challenge is to stay positive.”

Tones donates his DNA to the New England Research Institute every six months to help experts find new treatments and drugs.

“I hope and pray that they find something to ease the pain of Parkinson’s disease,” she said.

Tones hopes sharing her story will bring attention to the disease and help people understand those who have it.