Every morning for the past 54 years, Sherry Koppel has started her day the same way — by bringing a cup of coffee to her husband in bed. It’s a simple, quiet moment, an act of love. But one morning, not long ago, that routine was interrupted. As she walked toward him, tray in hand, she stumbled. The coffee spilled, the cup shattered, and she found herself on the floor.
For many, it would have been an unfortunate accident, an inconvenience to be cleaned up before moving on with the day. But for Sherry, who has lived with Parkinson’s disease for more than 25 years, it was something more. A reminder of the unpredictability of her illness. And a challenge — one she refused to let define her.
“I had to put that behind me,” she said. “Because it could ruin my day, and I’m not going to let things like that ruin my day.”
That determination and resilience are what have guided Sherry through her Parkinson’s journey. They are also what have made her one of the most passionate advocates and fundraisers for ֱ, where she found not just medical care, but a true partner in navigating life with Parkinson’s disease.
A diagnosis that changed everything
In 2000, Sherry was on a family trip to Italy when she first noticed something was wrong.
“I’m usually the leader of the pack,” she said. “But I felt like I was walking in quicksand.”
When Sherry returned home, the first neurologist she visited suspected multiple sclerosis, but further tests revealed the true diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease. The news was delivered with what she describes as a sense of finality, as though she had received a death sentence. Alone in the doctor’s office, without her husband by her side, Sherry struggled to process what it meant.
“I didn’t know what to make of it,” she said. “I didn’t know anyone with Parkinson’s, except Michael J. Fox, and I didn’t personally know him.”
Depression soon followed. Her former doctor prescribed medication, but instead of relief, she found herself sinking deeper. It was only through the guidance of a friend that she found a new path forward — one that led her to , the physician who would change her life.
A doctor who gave her wings
Meeting Goetz was a turning point.
“I went from being depressed to feeling in control of my situation,” Sherry said. “He gave me my wings.”
With Goetz’s expertise and support, Sherry found a treatment plan that worked for her — a carefully balanced regimen of medications tailored to her unique needs. But more than that, he gave her hope.
“He told me, ‘It’s your body; you know what you need,’” Sherry said. “And he listened.”
Goetz, who has provided leadership for the Rush Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program for 45 years, has cared for and improved the lives of thousands of patients, mentored and inspired countless physicians, and witnessed and contributed to many groundbreaking treatments and developments.
“Many years ago, when Sherry first came to see me, she expressed both feelings of fear and abandonment,” Goetz said. “Together, we took possession of the situation and navigated a complex journey in which optimism, determination and realism have been core themes.”
Under Goetz’s care, Sherry learned that attitude is everything. She made a conscious decision to live in the “precious present,” to focus on what she could do rather than what she couldn’t. She refused to dwell on fear.
“I used to look down the road and be scared,” she said. “But I trained myself not to. If I never change from where I am now, I’ll be fine. But I’m willing to walk down the road and see.”
Giving back: A relentless fundraiser for Parkinson’s research
Sherry’s sense of determination soon turned into action. She didn’t just want to manage her own Parkinson’s disease — she wanted to help others and support the research that had given her hope.
In the early 2000s, Sherry began asking friends, family and anyone who would listen to contribute to Rush’s Parkinson’s disease research. She organized visits to Rush’s laboratories, showing donors firsthand the groundbreaking work being done.
“I’ve raised a lot of money,” she said. “And it makes me so happy because I want to give back to Dr. Goetz.”
Goetz is grateful to Sherry for her partnership and dedication to advancing scientific progress through research and education.
“Now more than ever, private donor support, like Sherry’s, is key for research and patient progress,” he said. “Parkinson’s disease and related brain disorders require expertise and persistence. Long-term commitments in science require a constancy of support and dedication, just as friendships do, and I am thankful for Sherry and all our supporters who are living examples of scientific partnership in voice and action.”
Sherry’s fundraising efforts took many forms. One of the most impactful was a booklet her son helped create, titled “Attitude is Everything.” The booklet not only told her story but also underscored the importance of research and the difference donors could make.
The response was overwhelming.
“I sent it to everyone I know,” Sherry said. “And people responded. Some people responded extremely generously.”
Even when she announced that her last official fundraising letter had been sent, the donations kept coming.
“People are eager to give,” she said. “They want to support what I’m doing or what I was doing. And I think that’s amazing.”
Living fully with Parkinson’s
Despite living with Parkinson’s disease for more than two decades, Sherry refuses to let it define her. 
She works out five days a week, sometimes six, constantly pushing herself to beat her personal best. On Fridays, she attends Movement Revolution, an intense exercise program designed for people with Parkinson’s.
“They beat me up every week,” she joked. “I come home exhausted, and I say to them, ‘Did you stay up all night figuring out how to completely wear me out again?’”
But she knows that movement is essential.
“If you aren’t active, you’re in trouble,” Sherry said. “When you’re sedentary, you sit in the chair and don’t want to get out of it. And I fight that all the time.”
Beyond exercise, she has found purpose in helping others with Parkinson’s disease. When friends or acquaintances are newly diagnosed, she makes herself available.
“I’ve inspired a lot of people,” Sherry said. “Last year, one guy, who was completely broken up over his new diagnosis, asked if he could call me every day.”
She always says yes.
“I want to give back,” she said. “I’m in good shape. I can help people.”
A lasting legacy
Now, as Goetz prepares to retire, Sherry finds herself reflecting on the impact he has had — not just on her life, but on the lives of countless patients.
“He has changed lives; he has saved lives,” she said. “He’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”
She has already scheduled one final appointment with him, just to say goodbye and thank you.
“I feel like I’m the luckiest person on earth to have had Dr. Goetz for 25 years,” Sherry said. “He has directed me in the most caring way possible. My experience with him saved my life.”
As she moves forward, Sherry will continue to embrace the present. She will continue to exercise, help others and live her life on her own terms. And every morning, she will still bring coffee to her husband — because no diagnosis, fall or obstacle will ever change who she is.
After all, attitude is everything.
