Holly Robinson Peete Tackles Parkinson's, Autism Awareness

Holly Robinson Peete, actor, singer, and book author, is also a mom, the wife of former NFL quarterback Rodney Pete, and the daughter of much-beloved Matthew T. Robinson, Jr., familiar to millions of children as Gordon on Sesame Street. 

And now she’s also a tireless advocate for Parkinson’s and autism awareness and funding. Through the Hollyrod Foundation, Holly Robinson Peete is now taking on the Parkinson’s that her father battled and the autism that one of her twins was diagnosed with at age 3.

The HollyRod Foundaton: Parkinson’s Disease Support
Though the family has come far, Robinson Peete points to the initial shock of her son’s diagnosis as the most devastating thing she’d gone through since learning that her father, Matthew T. Robinson, Jr., had Parkinson’s disease. Robinson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the relatively young age of 46 and lost his battle with the disease in 2002. His struggle inspired Robinson Peete to start the HollyRod Foundation.

The HollyRod Foundation is dedicated to providing medical, physical, and emotional support to those suffering with debilitating life circumstances, especially Parkinson’s disease. Since its inception, HollyRod has helped support countless patients with PD around the country. HollyRod holds various fundraisers throughout the year and provides patients with financial and medical assistance.

A Book for Those Affected by Parkinson's Disease
Holly Robinson Peete also participated in the book project Proud Hands, a combination of personal photos and stories submitted by 28 patients and caregivers across America to provide encouragement to the more than one million people in the U.S. who are affected by Parkinson’s disease.

“It’s efforts such as this one made by Teva Neuroscience that allows my organization, The HollyRod Foundation, to continue serving the Parkinson’s disease community throughout the United States,” Robinson Peete said. “The Proud Hands book is a great way to create awareness about a disease that affects the lives of so many people and, at the same time, give hope to those who have the disease.”

For more information about these organizations and how they're making a difference for those affected by Parkinson's disease and raising autism awareness, visit the Proud Hands book and the HollyRod Foundation.

Resources
National Autism Association
National Parkinson Foundation
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

For more information about these organizations and how they're making a difference for those affected by Parkinson's disease and Autism, visit the Proud Hands book and the HollyRod Foundation.