An inspirational life: Flushing man with Parkinson's Disease amazes friends, family by staying active

Copied from The Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation Weekly News Update

Sarah Schuch

Flint News - Jack Murphy doesn’t believe what he does every day is anything special, but his family and friends say he is an inspiration.

Just after his 50th birthday, Murphy’s wife, Sue, noticed that he wasn’t moving his left arm and it was just hanging by his side. When asked why he didn’t move his are, Murphy’s answer was simply, “I don’t know.”

Shortly after a doctor told him he had Parkinson’s Disease, a chronic, slowly progressive neurological disease.

But 25 years later at age 75 Murphy hasn’t let the disease slow him down.

“This guy is just amazing,” said Dale Kenney, who’s known Murphy for more than 30 years. “He’s constantly on the go. There’s no grass growing under his feet.”

Murphy’s speech is often slurred and his movement is slowed. Within the past couple of years even walking has become difficult, so he walks with the assistance of two poles to balance him.

A medication helps Murphy with his focus and coordination. But none of that has stunted his determination.

Since his diagnosis in 1986, Murphy has ran hundreds of road races including three marathons, nine 10-mile Crim races and other Crim races.

This year he participated in the 5K Crim walk finishing at just over one hour and 31 minutes in last place. But he finished.

About five years ago, Murphy had to give up running and focus on walking only.

“(Parkinson’s) curbs my activities,” Murphy said. “If you work hard ... hard work pays off. It feels good.”

Murphy also plays in a golf league during the summer and is in two bowling leagues on Mondays and Tuesdays now. He goes to the YMCA a couple times a week and walks the Flushing Riverview Trail.

“Imagine what he was like before (Parkinson’s),” laughed Sue Murphy, who has been married to Jack for 48 years.

Spirits have always stayed bright, she said. She’s never surprised at how much her husband does every day, because he’s always been one not to give up.

“He’s like the energizer bunny. He keeps on going. He really should be a spokesperson for Nike. Just do it,” Sue Murphy said. “(When he was first diagnosed) doctors said he would be in a wheelchair. So he switched doctors.

“When he goes to the doctors he wants to know how he can bowl better. Is there a pill for that?”

His enthusiasm carries over into most things Jack Murphy does, said Karen Popovits, Flushing Senior Center executive director.

Popovits has seen Murphy visit the senior center and participate in events on regular basis since she’s been there seven and a half years. Currently Murphy is mostly involved in a balance class, she said.

“He’s upbeat, enthusiastic. He’s encouraging to other people,” Popovits said. “He makes you feel good. His enthusiasm makes you say, ‘Hey if I’m this healthy why am I not out there doing this and that?’ ... He’s got more gusto toward life than most of us do.”

Murphy said he didn’t know what to expect when he was first told of his diagnosis. And he shrugs when asked if he thinks he’s an inspiration.

“(Doctors) told me I’m remarkable,” Jack Murphy said. “I just say, ‘Thank you,’ (when someone compliments me).”