Page created by: Amie Bennett

My dad, Gary Foti, was an amazing man who happened to be a Parkinson’s Warrior. His battle was difficult, as each day was a new day with symptoms that he was used to fighting through and even new ones that he never experienced. The hardest part is that those symptoms are often silent. Those around him probably didn’t see or understand half of what he was feeling. There are the obvious signs of Parkinson’s such as tremors, but also the silent ones that created mental and physical challenges. Fortunately, there are medications that help relax the mind and body. Although they weren’t a cure, just something to take to mask the symptoms a little for the time being, they were his lifeline to a more normal day.
My hopes in creating this tribute page is to not only raise money for research, but to also bring awareness to this disease. After what I experienced with my dad, I realize medical professionals need more information as well. It broke my heart when I encouraged my dad to finally ask his doctor for help getting a handicap parking tag, several years after his initial diagnosis. He called me later and told me his doctor chuckled and told him he wasn’t handicapped. I was appalled. How could a doctor say that! He wasn’t the one that had to continue living with growing tremors, balance, and depth perception issues, but he was the one that could deny the paperwork for something as simple as giving my dad easier access to things such as going to the grocery store.
As time went on, I saw my dad doing less and less, until he could only drive from his house to my house independently maybe once a week and eventually not at all. I did finally help him get that handicapped tag and I thank his favorite doctor for being a part of that. She was even surprised that he didn’t have one yet. Then, there came a time when my dad couldn’t live independently and required a lot of assistance with basic daily living activities. He moved in with me and we found a new doctor who switched his medication. My dad had a new start for a bit. Then other health conditions kept piling up. I don’t know how he did it, but he fought through so many battles. I admire his strength, even though he often thought he was weak. His fight definitely became my fight.
Now that he is in complete peace, I ask that you help me continue the fight. There are so many Parkinson’s warriors and medical professionals out there that need the research to continue. Please consider making a contribution to honor his memory. I thank you for any amount you can give.
Sincerely,
Amie Bennett, daughter