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Film Screening: “It’s Just Parkinson’s” and inspiring documentary featuring John Cullen, Competitive Powerlifter and a Person with Parkinson’s Contact Name: Traci Willingham Contact Email: traci@neurochallenge.org Contact Phone Number: 9419266413 Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s is hosting private film screenings of the documentary “It’s Just Parkinson’s” with special guest, John Cullen. These free events are brought to you in partnership with Home Helpers Home Care and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota. There are two options this June to view this inspirational film with a special Q&A session with Mr. Cullen afterwards. The film screenings will take place on Monday, June 12th from 2pm- 5pm at Discovery Village at Sarasota Bay and Wednesday, June 14th from 11am- 2pm at Water’s Edge of Bradenton. Registration is required. Refreshments will be provided by our partners. For more event details and to register visit NeuroChallenge.org. John Cullen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015. An avid athlete his whole life, John has participated in over 100 running and cycling races, and over a dozen obstacle races. After his Parkinson’s diagnosis, physical exercise became crucial. In 2019 John started powerlifting. To his surprise he discovered that lifting heavy weights stressed his central nervous system, which helped set back some of his Parkinson’s symptoms. Although not a cure for Parkinson’s, John finds that frequent powerlifting exercises allow him to control some of the symptoms associated with the disease. John founded “It’s Just Parkinson’s” (IJP), a movement to help people from all walks of life. John sees IJP's mission is to be a rock for those who are facing a battle, to be a light for those lost in the dark, to bring hope to those who feel defeated. John explains, “Each day brings new challenges; some days we are faced with circumstances that feel overwhelming. If we don't continue to fight our fight, then we have given up and all hope to live is lost for eternity.” John is featured in the documentary, “It’s Just Parkinson’s” written by Mary Dartis and Directed by Diane Akim. The film profiles Cullen, 62, an athlete who refuses to let his Parkinson’s define him as he chases after epic goals with his incredible mindset in a story about grit, perseverance and never giving up in the face of insurmountable odds. Link to film trailer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yW5vcEriKM843pwQZ-Rl9Wodc_9wZxi3/view?usp=share_link Free to attend and donations to Neuro Challenge Foundation are greatly appreciated. For more information visit http://www.neurochallenge.org/events or call 941.926.6413. About John Cullen: John Cullen is 62-year-old Florida man with a warrior mindset battling Parkinson’s disease with grit, courage, and grace. A lifelong athlete, Parkinson’s has slowly taken Cullen out of many athletic pursuits. Yet, after being introduced to powerlifting and incorporating it into his workouts, the improvement to his mobility was staggering. This was the impetus for John to found www.ItsJustParkinsons.com. About Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s: Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers today. Neuro Challenge provides individualized Care Advising and monthly virtual and community-based education, therapeutic and support programs in Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas, Highlands, Marion and Charlotte counties and beyond. All Neuro Challenge essential services and programs are offered at no cost to people with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones. For more information visit www.NeuroChallenge.org.