Rick’s Parkinson’s Story: How DBS Helped Him Reclaim Life
When Subtle Signs Become Daily Struggles
Rick was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016, but his wife, Val, had started noticing the signs a few years earlier.
“You could see the tremors, the difference in movement, the slowing down of his gait,” Val recalls. “I had nagged him to get it checked out, but he resisted as long as he could.”
Once diagnosed, a combination of medications, therapy, and support from a local NJ Parkinson’s group helped Rick manage. But as years passed and the disease progressed, symptoms like rigidity and twitching became much harder to handle.
“We were at the point where we knew we had to do something — and we had a window that was closing quickly,” Rick says.
Exploring Surgical Advancements for Parkinson’s
Rick and Val began looking for other answers. Then, a turning point came when a few close friends shared their success stories with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).
“We started to see that this could be a real possibility for Rick,” Val recalls.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an advanced treatment for Parkinson’s that uses a small implanted device to send gentle electrical pulses to specific areas of the brain. These targeted signals help alleviate motor symptoms such as trembling, stiffness, and slowness.
Advanced Parkinson’s Care Close to Home
Rick’s neurologist with Princeton and Rutgers Neurology Group encouraged the couple’s decision and recommended Islam Fayed, MD, MS, at Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience. DBS is a major surgery with lifelong implications, and they needed care they could count on close to home in New Jersey. “He had excellent things to say about Dr. Fayed and the neuroscience program at Cooper and Inspira,” Val says.
Discovering DBS at Cooper and Inspira
When Rick and Val met Dr. Fayed, they both immediately felt at ease. From there, the Cooper and Inspira team coordinated a comprehensive evaluation, including neurology, neuropsychology, and physical therapy. Each step confirmed Rick was a good candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).
“We were surprised to find out the DBS process was very streamlined, ” Val recalls. “From day one, we knew we were at the right place.”
DBS: A Team Approach
Patient Evaluation
Together, our specialists collaborate to decide if DBS is the right option.
Neurology
Assesses symptoms, medical history, and response to medications
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Neuropsychology
Evaluates cognitive and emotional readiness
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Physical Therapy
Measures mobility, balance, and movement function
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Neurosurgery
Performs DBS implantation and partners with neurology for ongoing care
Relief Meets Results
On the day of surgery, the Cooper and Inspira team made Rick and Val feel entirely supported. Rick’s procedure, performed by Dr. Fayed in a single surgery, went smoothly, with the team keeping them informed every step of the way. Val says, “From start to finish, everything just fell into place.”
Once the Abbott Medical deep-brain stimulation system was activated and programmed in the weeks after surgery, Rick’s results were immediate and remarkable.
“Before, his tremors and stiffness made even simple movements difficult,” Val explains. “Now, his posture is better, his muscle tone has returned, and he’s moving like his old self again.”
The couple was also impressed by how easy the DBS system’s neuromodulator is to use. With a rechargeable device and user-friendly app, any adjustments Rick needs can be made at home or during telehealth appointments.
Life After DBS: Back to What He Loves
Today, Rick continues to thrive under the guidance of the Cooper and Inspira team, who fine-tune his DBS device settings to optimize his mobility and quality of life. “We’ve seen him regain functions and confidence that Parkinson’s had started to steal away,” Val says.
Rick has returned to his favorite activities – playing ping pong, walking, and planning travel adventures far beyond South Jersey – including a recent cruise from Prague to Berlin.
“I can guarantee you that without this surgery, we would not be doing this,” Rick says. “The only words we can use are life-changing.”
For an appointment with a Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience specialist, click here.
