{"id":2670,"date":"2025-02-03T21:34:47","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T21:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test7.samplewebsitelink.com\/parkinsonz\/?page_id=2670"},"modified":"2025-04-22T21:03:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T21:03:34","slug":"rhonda-foulds","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/test7.samplewebsitelink.com\/parkinsonz\/rhonda-foulds\/","title":{"rendered":"Rhonda Foulds – Texas, USA diagnosed 1999"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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PARKINSONZ ACEs<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Adapt, Conquer, Empower Others<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Meet Rhonda Foulds<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t
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Rhonda, excited she was able to run a few steps\nafter getting home from major cancer surgeries.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Rhonda Foulds: A Journey of Resilience, Humor, and Gratitude<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Rhonda Foulds has always embodied strength and unwavering determination. From her early days as a dedicated mother and passionate athlete to her courageous battles with Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD) and cancer, Rhonda\u2019s story is one of inspiring resilience, infectious humor, and profound gratitude. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope for anyone facing life\u2019s most daunting challenges.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Runner\u2019s World 2016<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Embracing the Unexpected: Rhonda\u2019s Parkinson\u2019s Journey<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In May 1999, at the age of 35, Rhonda Foulds was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD). Originally from New Berlin, NY, Rhonda had moved to Justin, Texas, in July 1996, where she worked as a welder and assembler for BF Goodrich. While training for her first marathon, Rhonda began noticing tremors in her right pinkie and jaw. Rhonda continued her rigorous training until her husband observed her right leg dragging during a run. This prompted a visit to her doctor, leading to the confirmation of her PD diagnosis. \u201cParkinson\u2019s wasn\u2019t new to me; my dad and an uncle had it,\u201d Rhonda reflects. The next five years were particularly rough\u2014Rhonda didn\u2019t run that marathon. Her physical and mental health declined, leading to depression and anxiety. She shares, \u201c after my diagnosis, I basically went home and waited to die.\u201d By 2004, she had gained 100 pounds and was in a wheelchair<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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When I started my fitness journey, I looked for other examples of people living with Parkinson\u2019s doing things that a stereotypical person with Parkinson\u2019s shouldn\u2019t be doing. I found Rhonda\u2019s and her journey and impact on me was worth more than 30 people put together. She is a big reason I am who I am today as an advocate for fitness while living with Parkinson\u2019s. \u2014Jimmy Choi (American Ninja Warrior - PD advocate - diagnosed 2003)<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Building a Pillar of Support and Rediscovering Strength<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Rhonda\u2019s journey with Parkinson\u2019s took a pivotal turn in 2004 when she underwent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. This was still considered experimental at the time. \u201cIt was like a true miracle for me,\u201d Rhonda shares. This breakthrough empowered her to reclaim her active lifestyle.<\/p>

Her son, a Marine, encouraged her to start walking, and then she started running. She explains it as \u201cSomething just turned on my brain.\u201d She lost the weight by eating more healthy foods and exercise.<\/p>

Over the years she built up to running longer distances and then kept on going. She has since completed over 100 marathons including finishing the Boston marathon 11 times.<\/p>

Rhonda\u2019s support system played a crucial role in her journey. Her husband tirelessly worked to maintain normalcy in their lives, while her three grown sons, now with their own families, provided daily encouragement and love. \u201cMy network of support is invaluable,\u201d Rhonda emphasizes. Beyond her immediate family, Rhonda found strength in friends and organizations like Team Fox and the Parkinson\u2019s Foundation, connecting with countless inspirational individuals facing similar challenges.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The Fight of her Life<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In 2024, Rhonda finished her 11th Boston marathon, and won the coordination impaired division of the Boston Athletic Association\u2019s 5k, which had been two days earlier. Shortly after that, she was diagnosed with two primary cancers; ovarian cancer and lung cancer. In late 2024, she underwent major surgery to remove half of her left lung, and major abdominal and pelvic surgery within a 10 day period. \u201cIt feels like I\u2019m trapped in the wrong body,\u201d she admits, grappling with the overwhelming nature of her new diagnoses.<\/p>

Rhonda refuses to let despair take hold. Even while still in the Intensive Care Unit, her doctor assured her that she would still be able to run with half a lung, and she \u201ctrained\u201d by walking laps around the ICU, noting that it wasgoing to take a lot of laps to train for a marathon.<\/p>

Despite the severity of her conditions, Rhonda maintains an inspiring positive attitude. \u201cI\u2019ve been working really hard at taking big deep breaths,\u201d she shares, acknowledging the difficulty of her journey. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to imagine ever running again, but hey, at least I can walk around our property a few times a day.\u201d Her ability to focus on what she can do, rather than what she can\u2019t, is a testament to her indomitable spirit.<\/p>

Humor remains Rhonda\u2019s shield against adversity. \u201cSometimes all of this seems so unfair,\u201d she admits, but she quickly counters with a laugh. \u201cThis morning on the way here, I was pretending to be my left lung. \u2018Why are you doing this to me? I\u2019ve been so good!\u2019 \u2018I\u2019ve run all these marathons!\u2019\u201d Her ability to laugh at herself and her situation keeps her spirits high and her mind sharp.<\/p>

Even as she navigates the pain and challenges of multiple surgeries, Rhonda finds moments of joy and laughter, whether it\u2019s watching her \u201cdoggies\u201d and husband play in the snow or sharing lighthearted moments with her family<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Moving Forward with Gratitude and Unyielding Hope<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As Rhonda faces ongoing treatments, including chemotherapy for two different kinds of cancer, her resolve is constantly being tested. \u201cI need to have all of my strength for months of chemo,\u201d she declares.

Despite the physical limitations, such as being unable to sneeze or dealing with an open hole in her chest, Rhonda remains focused on her path to recovery. \u201cEveryone who can take a big deep breath, do so for me right now and be truly thankful,\u201d she asks, her plea filled with hope and gratitude. Rhonda celebrates small victories each day. After nearly a month of surgeries and enduring intense pain, she finally feels a little better. \u201cI\u2019ll be perfectly honest, I\u2019ve been in so much pain and such a foul mood over all of this that I figured death couldn\u2019t really be that bad. At least I\u2019d be in peace,\u201d she confesses.

Instead of succumbing to despair, Rhonda chooses to focus on the progress she\u2019s making. \u201cI hadn\u2019t had any REM sleep until last night, for a month. Never underestimate how much sleep is the great healer,\u201d she shares, highlighting the importance of rest and recovery. She recently celebrated the fact that she could sneeze without feeling she was not going to blow out a lung, and then a few days later celebrated her completion of a one mile walk. Looking ahead, Rhonda remains committed to her fight against cancer and Parkinson\u2019s. Though she had to cancel her dreams of running the Boston Marathon for the 12th time in 2025 and miss her first cruise with her kids, she embraces the present with gratitude and hope.

Rhonda\u2019s journey is a powerful testament to the human spirit\u2019s capacity to endure and thrive despite overwhelming odds. Whether she\u2019s walking around her property, sharing a laugh with her family, or preparing for her next round of treatments, Rhonda embodies resilience, humor, and gratitude. \u201cI\u2019m just out here living my best life, not letting anything hold me back,\u201d she declares, inspiring everyone around her to find their own strength and keep moving forward.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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On a personal note, I had the opportunity to meet Rhonda at the 2024 Boston marathon. Even though we only chatted for a short while, meeting Rhonda had a profound impact on how I perceive what is possible for my own future. Her spirit is infectious and inspired me to set some long term goals.<\/p>

Rhonda is a pillar of strength, but currently in a fight for her life. Despite, this she holds her head held high. There will be no pity party, but instead she has thousands of cheerleaders rooting for her.<\/p>

If you would like to show Rhonda your support, and follow her journey. This is a link to her Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Rhonda, Cris, Me, and Renee before\nthe 2024 Boston Marathon.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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We all have PD and\nwe all finished.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Meet the other Parkinsonz ACES<\/a><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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