For the better part of his life, Bruce Frank has loved golfing and had the skills to match his passion. So when he noticed his golf game was struggling, he knew something was wrong.
"My golf game deteriorated to nothing," he remarks. "I couldn't put the ball on the tee. My hand was shaking so badly."
Soon after, Bruce was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease — a neurodegenerative disorder that causes hand tremors, among other symptoms. More than 10 million people worldwide are living with the condition, and there is still no cure.
"Parkinson's is devastating, there's not much you can do about it and a lot of people have it," Bruce says. "For the first year, I just couldn't believe it. I struggled with coming to terms with it.
That was nearly five years ago, and Bruce says his perspective has since changed. "I realize I'm not alone now. My wife has taken me under her wing and really helped me beyond belief."
Coupled with support from friends and family, Bruce has made amazing progress since coming to CCLLC for voice and memory therapy with Jenn.
"She has really helped me in the fact that I can now talk to somebody and not stutter as much," he says. "It's noticeable. People tell me on the phone 'You sound different' or 'You sound better,' and that's coming from practicing with Jenn."
For someone who has made his living mostly talking on the phone as a financial consultant, stuttering less made a world of a difference.
"My business has always been about being on the phone with somebody six to eight hours a day. Parkinson's took that away from me, but now I'm getting it back."
Being past retirement age, Bruce no longer runs his business like he used to. But stuttering less helps him communicate with his wife, children and friends, thanks to his weekly therapy sessions that combine hard work with laughs and friendly banter.
"Jenn and I established a light comedy sense of humor during therapy. I don't take it too seriously," Bruce says in between chuckles. "She trusts me and I trust her and that's important."
So with a little bit of humor and a whole lot of trust, Bruce continues to work with Jenn to make more progress. And his biggest hope for the future? "A cure for Parkinson's." Until then, we'll keep on celebrating the milestones he makes day by day.