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How the Quest for the Cure was born – an introduction to S.F. and Callie Marie Judd’s personal pursuit of finding answers…

In 2003, after 17+ years of contending with Parkinson’s, my 74-year young husband almost died…he could no longer walk at all, talk much, or even swallow at times. All the time he carried his head down and to his left, drooped onto his chest tightly… the bedsores and drooling were taking their toll…and then we began our quest – and our lives will never be the same!

The following focuses mostly on the questions the "quest" inspires....we encourage all readers, in addition to the individual short bios listed, to also visit the Personal Stories page to truly find out about the people of the Quest...who TOGETHER IN THEIR EFFORTS make up the real story!

Come along as we strive to answer the questions introduced today. The present truly is a gift and tomorrow’s mysteries will, so soon, be history. As the world awakens to a new day of hope, the joy in Judd and my life is so intense we just have to share our

QUEST FOR THE CURE!

Why would a person want to go on a “quest” for something as illusive as the cure for a major degenerative condition like Parkinson’s? Oh yes, everyone “looks” for the cure, with all eagerness and sincerity, but what does it REALLY mean to GO on a “quest”? What events would bring a person to devote their full energies and resources to such an endeavor? What events would make anyone think they had an inkling of a chance of finding the answer? What does a person do while on the quest? What physical, emotional, spiritual changes do people encounter during the quest? Where does a person travel to accomplish finding such answers? In a car? Airplane? Van? (Parkinson’s makes travel such a challenge!)

Would answers be found in “cyberspace? In the mind? (The study of brain functions is so pervasive now) Will a cure be found in books, letters, and research publications, laboratories, hospitals, at home?

Suppose the "cure", or a therapy leading to the cure, was reported to be found – what would be the next step? How would a person go about actually trying to accomplish acquiring the cure for him or herself? Or if it was for a loved one, would a person actually want to convince another to participate in something new, especially if it could be life-threatening? Under what circumstances should a person even try to persuade another to follow the quest into unknown waters?

Then too, when would the quest actually start? At time of first diagnosis –5yrs –10yrs – 20 yrs. later? Invariably, first thoughts at time of diagnosis is to stop the symptoms i.e. tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, loss of ability to dress, to work, to think!!! The “cure” is always there, tucked away like a haunting melody in the background, but when does a person become actively involved in daily pursuits related to the ultimate solution, not just staying busy dealing with the symptoms?

In thinking of the word “quest”, who involves themselves in the cure to any disease or condition? It could be doctors, caregivers, friends, patients, relatives, politicians, neighbors, researchers and on and on and on. Other words meaning a quest include: pursuit, expedition, mission, crusade, hunt, search for, track down, stalk. Thus, to be on a quest insinuates more aggressive action toward finding the cure. It is not a passive word – it requires action, focus, being intent on a specific goal, doesn't it?

Not everyone desires or is in a position to be “on the quest” – by choice or necessity, some involvement “in” the cure may include not searching "for" the cure – not being an active participant (as opposed to a less active recipient). Be assured there is no element of judgment to be made, passive or active, as all are essential to finding the ultimate goal. Indeed, many folks may move from passive to active roles and back again, perhaps many times, within a lifetime. So all readers are invited to think about their own journey relative to the quest and hope this site is found helpful and rewarding during any amount of participation.

In conclusion, over the past few years it seems medicine and science produces far more questions than answers. Upon joining the “Quest",it is hoped you too will explore various aspects of these questions, sharing past experiences as well as current details,finding support and perhaps applicable news as you include your own personal ambitions, new questions, activities, problems and progress...as we travel along the trail of Parkinson’s, working together, engaged in the Quest for the Cure!

Born in Starke, Florida, August 3, 1929, I grew up enjoying an agricultural lifestyle before leaving home to join the Air Force in 1951, just in time for experiencing the Korean conflict. Upon spending 14 years military time on the world’s largest bombers (B-36) (circling Cuba and the globe various times while Castro and Kennedy worked out their differences) I returned to civilian life. My construction background and my love for ranching and horses led me to Arkansas and Texas, where Parkinson’s intruded on my life with its diagnosis in 1986. Since then, I feel my job has increasingly become one involved in contributing to finding the best possible route in the Parkinson’s journey to achieve reversal of symptoms.

From childhood, through the military, and the many construction and ranching projects of my life, I always seemed to be asked to accomplish unusually challenging tasks – this being the greatest challenge of all - to be a part of recognizing and perhaps demonstrating that Parkinson’s can be overcome, even after 20+ years, as well as discovering answers for the prevention of such catastrophic neurodegenerative conditions. Then I look forward to starting a new career as an actively engaged grandfather, and great-grandfather for my four children and their families, just as soon as this job gets done!

Born in Miami, Florida, December 4, 1950, I grew up mostly in Texas, but traveled to Tucson Arizona for 4 years during the early '60s. Acquiring a Bachelor of Science at Texas A&M University in 1973, I met S.F. Judd in 1975 and began a lifelong learning career that has evolved into the medical/educational pursuits being developed since the new millennium started. From 1998 to 2002 I pursued teaching certification at the University of Houston before moving to Florida due to the need to devote full time to home healthcare pursuits. “Judd” and I developed the QuestforCure website in 2004 along with obtaining my Master of Education in Instructional Technology.

We have intentions of again raising, training and enjoying cutting horses and Australian Shepherd dogs in a ranch setting, while also working together in nutritional and healthcare education. Hobbies include writing, gardening, and travel, of which the latter two have to be on the "back burner" for now.

I'm finding the challenges and tough learning experiences associated with Parkinson's unable to accomplish taking away my excitement for life, especially as I see a growing global network of people help each other to arrive at brighter days of wellness!