Page created by: Cheryl Crawford

She is the epitome of joyous living. She is living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and joyous is still the operative word. She is Betty L. Wilton, my sister-in-law, the amazing wife of my wonderful brother.

Betty was born in 1954, the second of six children. She has always been the planner, the organizer, the “idea girl” behind family gatherings, parties for any occasion, charitable events, Girl Scout troop activities, Sunday school meetings, and many church functions. And, she has been the implementer of them all. You name it, she can pull it off.

Since 1986, Betty has been the loving wife of Terry Wilton. They are such a wonderful team. They have raised three beautiful, accomplished daughters together, Nikki, Sarah and Jackie. With all sincerity, Terry says that he feels blessed daily for being her husband. In the past ten Parkinson’s-related years, Betty has not said a negative word about anyone. It’s one of many ways she truly lives according to God’s word.

She had an amazing influence on hundreds of kindergartners at Schoolcraft Elementary School in Waterford, Michigan. As a teacher’s aide from 1995 to 2011, she shared so much love with little 5-year-olds. Even as adults, these former students go out of their way to say hello to her if they see her out and about – a testament to the impression she made on them. Our entire family has been entertained over the years with tales of the “darndest things her kindergartners have said.”

Betty has always been the source of humor in the family. She adopted a nick-name of “Boop,” exemplifying her comedic nature.

When PD kept her from performing her job adequately at the school, Betty retired. Postural Instability and Gait Difficulty (PIGD) is the form of PD that has stricken Betty. It is characterized by balance and walking problems and is concerning because it increases the risk of falls. PIGD has slowed her movement. PIGD has made her dependent upon a walker. PIGD has caused falls; recovery from some of them has required surgery. PIGD has affected her voice and speech. But, there is one thing that PIGD has not affected and that is her spirit and her faith in God. I cannot think of a time that when asked, she has said anything other than “I’m fine!” She says it with a smile.

As Betty has faced limitations in movement in more recent years, she has not shied away from commitments. As a faithful member of Grace Chapel Church in Waterford, Michigan, she (with teammate Terry) prepares meals for shut-ins and the sick within the church as needed. She serves as a mentor to teen girls at Grace Chapel via a monthly meeting. She attends weekly Bible study with Women of Grace Chapel. She attends monthly Bible study with women from Oakwood Church in Ortonville, Michigan. She sends an average of 15 to 20 birthday and/or greeting cards per month to friends, relatives, and those in need of cheer because she knows it is uplifting to them.

If you know Betty, we ask that you send her a greeting, as she is well deserving of being uplifted. As a family, we ask that you pray for Betty, Terry, Nikki, Sarah, and Jackie. Pray for the researchers who are searching for improved PD treatments and a cure, may they be led in the right direction. And finally, we ask you to donate to the work of the Michael J. Fox Foundation if you are able.