News
Sue Monk Kidd and Parkinson’s Disease
April 3, 2026
In September 2024 Sue revealed her Parkinson’s diagnosis in a heartfelt letter posted on Instagram.
Dear Friends,
Sharing difficult news is never easy, but here goes. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. There are numerous reasons I’ve kept the news private until now, which I’ll tell you about at some point, but for now, ‘ll simply say that was what I needed. Even now, feel vulnerable putting myself and my Parkinson’s out here, but it’s also freeing. It’s time. It’s what my heart wants. I’m hoping maybe I can bring a little bit of awareness to a disease with a secret life.
Every six minutes, someone in the U.S. will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The day I was diagnosed, I was 3 months and 47 pages away from completing my novel, The Book of Longings. As I left the exam room at Duke after receiving the news, I paused on the threshold, my heart pounding, my eyes welling, and realized I was about to step into a whole new world. Parkinson’s is a life-changing experience, a journey, a new way of being in the world.
When I sit in the waiting room of my neurologist at Duke, I’m deeply moved as I look around at the people living with Parkinson’s. The gentleman with the shuffling feet.
The lady with her sweater buttoned up wrong. We exchange small glances of recognition, a brief smile, and l always think, these are my people. “Such understated power is here, in these tottering dancers who exert stupendous effort on tasks most view as insignificant,” wrote poet, Robin Morgan, herself a person with Parkinson’s.
Living with a neurodegenerative disease that has no cure (yet is hard. I often falter. At times I give in to fear of what my future might be. But living with Parkinson’s also brings awareness and awakening. I told my husband l had a feeling Parkinson’s would become my greatest teacher. I’m not fond of this teacher, but my prediction is proving true. I’m learning new things about acceptance, and joy, and the simplicity of being. I’m learning that life is bearable only through love and gratitude.
Reflecting on his life with Parkinson’s, Michael J. Fox said, “Gratitude makes optimism sustainable.” Just this week, I finished writing a non-fiction book titled Writing, Creativity, and Soul, which I’m excited about bringing into the world, and I’m already dreaming and planning the next book. I’m optimistic I will go on writing even as my fingers tremor and totter across the keyboard.
I know this is my first post in a long time, but ll do my best to stay in touch. I am so grateful for all of you and for the support you give me. You are my people, too.
With love, Sue
Parkinson’s Awareness Month
On the eve of Parkinson’s Awareness Month in 2026, Adventures By the Book gathered together 20 bestselling women authors for a virtual event to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s in Sue’s honor. Watch Sue’s video message that was played during the event.
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1179949254
Sue advocates for Parkinson’s awareness whenever she’s able. You can read the deeply personal interview she did with PMD Alliance about her journey with Parkinson’s, “Creativity Recreates Us.”