Originally published in Columbus Monthly
“When Jessica Krauser was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease at age 37, she was relieved. “I know myself and my body. I knew something was wrong. That diagnosis was like, ‘Thank God I’m not going crazy,’” Krauser says.
It didn’t take long for Krauser to share her experience. With a background in marketing, she says being open is part of her personality. “I just wanted it out there because so many people knew about my issues for that past year. They would see my tremor and ask questions,” she says.
Most people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed around the age of 60, but Krauser, of Powell, has created a community of younger people across the globe who are living with the illness. Krauser co-hosts “The Secret Life of Parkinson’s” podcast with Brian Baker, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 40. The podcast has nearly 10,000 YouTube subscribers and gets 17,000 views per month. Topics range from medical advancements to family, friends and sex life. Comments on the videos come from people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones, happy to hear about these experiences from a younger person.”