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“Amazing from beginning to end, ecstatic, fantabulous- no exaggerations! It was the first time that I made such an event, and the organizational aspects came out better than I ever thought they would. The Ribbono Shel Olam was in charge, so it was gevaldig!” This was how Rabbi Moshe Yakov Gruskin, founder of Sparks of Life, the Jewish organization for those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, described the organization’s representation the Fourth World Parkinson’s Congress, which took place in Portland, Oregon from September 20 through September 23.

Parkinson’s is an extremely complex progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Early symptoms may typically include a barely noticeable tremor in one hand, but the disease progresses to include stiffness, slowing of movement, slurred speech, and more. Symptoms may gradually progress over decades, with no two progressions being exactly the same. There is no known cure for Parkinson’s, although medications may slow the progression of the disease.

Rabbi Gruskin, who works as a tireless fundraiser for a Lakewood yeshivah, was himself diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009. However, instead of allowing the diagnosis to slow him down, Rabbi Gruskin was spurred on to do whatever he could to help his fellow Yidden who are also suffering from the disease.

Last year, while in a doctor’s office, he noticed an advertisement for the third World Parkinson’s Congress (WPC), to be held in Montreal, and decided to attend together with his son. “I went to the conference, and was blown away by the information, support, and camaraderie that was offered there. They exude a very positive attitude; their main motto is “Learn to live life to the fullest.” The only problem was, there were only three frum people there out of 3700- myself, my son, and one other frum lady from Teaneck.”

About six months ago, Rabbi Gruskin founded Sparks of Life, an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of Jewish Parkinson’s patients by providing an array of emotional, medical, and educational resources. The goal of these services is to enable those suffering from the disease to live fuller and healthier lives, to enhance their care, and to empower them to make positive choices.

“I saw that no one was doing anything like this – so b’makom she-ein ish,” recalls Rabbi Gruskin. “I am the first such organization in the world, to my knowledge. “ Rabbi Gruskin hopes to create a full service organization with complete support, education, advocacy, financial assistance, a library, a gym with on site therapists, and more. Many of his ideas were culled from seminars at the convention.

Sparks of Life held their first support meeting in Lakewood at the end of June 2016. “We had no idea how many people would come; some told us it was a pipe dream. Parkinson’s is very complex, and the cure is only in the hands of the Aibershter. Many of those who suffer are afraid of the stigma and shame. However, 100 people showed up and we were astounded. There is obviously a great need for this.”

When the time for this year’s WPC came around, Rabbi Gruskin decided to try to organize a frum contingency to attend. He knew how much he had gained from attending last year, and wanted to give others the chance to attend as well. With the support of the organizers of the WPC, Rabbi Gruskin was able to arrange for a separate area dedicated for the use of the frum attendees, kosher food, and minyanim. The set up allowed the frum attendees to benefit from all the conference has to offer, while having their unique needs accommodated. Perhaps most of all, the set up provided the frum attendees a chance to interact with each other, realize that they are not alone, and ultimately forge relationships with each other and emerge feeling as one, big, happy family.

Mrs. D., whose father suffers from Parkinsons, attended the convention together with her parents and her sister. “When we first heard about the convention, we thought it would be depressing, but it was just the opposite. The atmosphere was very positive, and the convention was extremely informative. It was very good for my mother, who is the primary caregiver for my father. “

“What Sparks of Life has done for the the frum people is amazing,” Mrs. D. continued. “There were three kosher meals a day, minyanim, and a dedicated room for us which was open all day, which served as an oasis for us in the midst of thousands of people. We made connections, shmuzed with each other, and shared information; there was something so special about it. The Gruskins acted with such heart and ravchus- it was just amazing.”