After spending more than 20 years working in financial reporting, Jake Troyer retired in 2016 and has enjoyed spending time with his family, including his three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He and his brother-in-law also shared a love of sailing, spending time on the bay and making trips as far north as Drummond Island.

When Parkinson's disease began affecting his mobility, Jake came to Grand Traverse Pavilions for rehabilitation services. During his stay, he worked with physical, occupational, and speech therapists to improve his strength, movement, and daily function.

While he found all three therapies beneficial, occupational and physical therapy stood out most.

"I like to do things," Jake said. "Movement helps."

Through therapy, Jake was able to improve his mobility and gain confidence in his daily activities. He credits his therapists for making a meaningful difference in his progress.
"The therapists are very personable and involved in the therapies they are teaching," he said.

Jake and his wife, Sally, have also found support through the Michigan Parkinson Foundation and its Think BIG program, which has provided valuable resources and encouragement throughout their Parkinson's journey.

Today, Jake continues to focus on staying active and moving forward, supported by the care team at Grand Traverse Pavilions, his family, and the broader Parkinson's community.

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