I HAVE FELT A LOT OF ENERGY FROM HIM IN HIS DESIRE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES THAT THE FOUNDATION HAS AVAILABLE.” patients as part of his practice because his stepfather, William McSweeney, had suffered from the illness. He became a full-time physical therapist in 1999 and started seeing people with Parkinson’s two years later. “He had Parkinson’s and it started in his early 40s,” he says. “I saw his decline. He wasn’t doing anything. Back then, I wasn’t thinking about it. I was in physical therapy school at the time.” Lewis holds Fletcher in such high esteem for his dedication. “I’ve been so impressed with him, with the time he takes with people with Parkinson’s,” she says. “Every support group that I’ve gone to in Anne Arundel County and Bowie, when his name comes up, they always talk about how much of a difference he’s made in their lives. If they weren’t exercising, he would spend extra time with them to help get to where they needed to be to have a better life and mental attitude.”
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