Bill Rasmussen has enjoyed many thrilling “chapters” in his life story, one of which is founding 24 hour sports network, ESPN. Now Rasmussen has moved onto a new chapter and openly shares with readers what it’s like living with Parkinson’s Disease.
ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
What’s happening:
- ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen recently announced that he is living with Parkinson's Disease. The octanigeran is approaching this new challenge as “a new chapter to add to the story.”
- Rasmussen candidly shared his full story about the diagnosis and how he’s coping with ESPN’s Front Row.
Rasmussen visits the SportsCenter set in 2005. (Rich Arden/ESPN)
In his words:
Rasmussen begins by sharing how comfortable he’s been telling the story of ESPN. As one of the founders of the network, it’s a story he loves to tell. He mentions he even wrote a book about it saying, “It’s a story I’ve told countless times recalling people, events, facts and figures with ease, but now I have a new chapter to add to the story – a chapter I don’t really know how to relay yet. This Front Row post is my first step in trying to figure that out.”
Rasmussen goes on to discuss this new chapter. “Here it is: I have Parkinson’s Disease, a condition that affects the brain, resulting in a progressive loss of coordination and movement. I was diagnosed in 2014 and this is the first time I’m sharing my diagnosis publicly.”
He continues to reveal more about his experience from talking with his doctors to what he daily life has been like then goes on to assure readers that he’s ok. “First and foremost – I’m doing well. For a guy pushing 87, and with the help of medicine that helps treat my symptoms, I still get around quite well and continue to travel the country telling the ESPN/life lessons stories as I have for decades.”
On July 10, 2019 Bill Rasmussen practices his pitching near his home in Seattle. “Feels great and no issue reaching the plate,” Rasmussen reported following the session in preparation for his Sept. 8 first pitch honors at Fenway Park. (Sarah Van Hollebeke)
Rasmussen shares that he’s found a home in Seattle where he lives with, “my amazing daughter, Sarah, a Registered Nurse and her incredible family, who have been on this journey with me and without whom this Parkinson’s mystery would be a lot harder to tackle.”
Strength in numbers is something that Rasumssen believes in and says, that by sharing his story he hopes to support others who are affected by the disease. “ESPN has proven how powerful strength in numbers can be: From only a few viewers on cable television opening night in 1979 to access to the entire population of the globe in 2019! Today, a cure for Parkinson’s remains elusive, but by raising awareness, I hope thousands will bring new interest, new talent, new research and new dollars to bear on this insidious disease.”
He charges readers to band together and approach the disease head on: “Let’s tackle Parkinson’s with the same enthusiastic effort. I’ll be talking a lot about PD in the weeks and months ahead – not as a victim, but as living, breathing proof that when you or a loved one hears the dreaded words, ‘You have Parkinson’s disease,’ life is not over – it’s just the beginning of a new chapter.”
Rasmussen leaves readers with more information about PD including “ a quick introduction to the five stages of Parkinson’s,” and a link to the Michael J. Fox Foundation site. Then he wraps things up positively offering encouragement for the future.
ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen (L) visits with ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro. (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
“So that’s my new story. People with PD CAN live active, healthy lives by adding physical fitness, awareness, good nutrition habits, a strong positive attitude and more to their daily routine.”
For more information visit:
- Espnfounder.com
- @Bill_ESPN (Twitter)
For the full letter please visit ESPN Front Row.