Amit Akali’s Story of Courage: Owning Parkinson’s with Strength

When most people hear the word Parkinson's, they think about fear, limitations, and loss of control. For Amit Akali, the diagnosis could have been perceived the same way; rather, he reframed it as a journey of ownership, courage, and resilience. He does not want to be defined by the disease; instead, he wants to define his journey with it. Thus, his statement: "I will own my Parkinson's" is more than an act of defiance; it is, in fact, a philosophical expression that speaks of living life fully in the light of those challenges that test both the body and the spirit.

Amit Akali, co-founder of Wondrlab, pictured in a reflective pose that mirrors his resilient journey of embracing—and owning—his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Amit's approach is very humane. He does not hide behind denial; he does not resign himself to despair. Instead, he embraces the truth of the condition, speaks candidly about it, and mobilizes this personal narrative to inspire others. By discussing it openly, he diminishes the stigma attached to Parkinson's and demonstrates that vulnerability can, in fact, be a source of strength. It is this honesty that makes his journey relatable—not as the story of a man struggling with illness, but as the story of a man choosing how to live.

For Amit, owning Parkinson's means reclaiming agency. It is idea evidence of showing that while he may not be able to control the diagnosis, he can control how he chooses to respond to it. He continues to put his creative energy into work and his life, showing that Parkinson's may affect his body, but it shall not affect his spirit. In this case, he transforms something that might have been seen as a limitation into hope and possibility.

Amit's words remind us that resilience is not about pretending that life challenges do not exist; rather, it is about confronting them, but remaining focused on meaning, purpose, and joy. At a time when the health challenges often muffle people's voices, Amit's openness ignites conversations that are both much-needed and empowering. It tells others living with Parkinson's or any chronic condition "you are not alone," and "ownership can often be healing."

By saying, "I will own my Parkinson's," Amit Akali has done much more than just accept a diagnosis. He has taken on a new role: that of a storyteller-a motivator-and a reminder that life does not stop when adversity begins. It simply takes on a new form, and it is still in our hands to determine how we will furnish it.