Diagnosis of Parkinson’s helps Rep. Pete DeGraaf manage disease’s effects

Rep. Pete DeGraaf learned toward the end of this year’s marathon session that he is suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

The Mulvane Republican was told by a doctor in April that he should be tested for the disease, which affects the central nervous system, after suffering from chronic aches and lack of sleep throughout the session.

For many people, the diagnosis could be devastating. There is no cure for Parkinson’s.

But DeGraaf says he’s happy about the diagnosis because it has enabled him to treat the illness. And he plans to keep his position in the Legislature.

“I probably had Parkinson’s seven years ago, just didn’t know it,” he said. “Today I understand now why I’ve experienced some of the things I’ve experienced and more importantly I’ve got medication.”

DeGraaf’s symptoms reached the point where he asked House Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, to remove him from the House Appropriations Committee. He felt unable to cope with the long hours required for the committee that oversees the budget.

“I was wanting to sleep. I was very tired. Couldn’t understand why I was so tired and couldn’t understand why I was in so much pain,” he said. “I was just not able to give the evening hours like I did in previous years.”

He began taking medication in June during the final weeks of the 114-day session and his condition improved dramatically.

“I think the big thing with the diagnosis is we finally had a name to what had been going on,” said Karen DeGraaf, his wife, who joins him in Topeka during the session. “And then the response that he’s had to the medication has just been fantastic. I had a couple of reps come up to tell me the old Pete is back.”

“Parkinson’s is so much different today than just 10 years ago just because of the advancements that they’ve had in the medications, the physical therapies,” she said.

In recent years there has been significant debate about using embryonic stem cells to further Parkinson's research.

DeGraaf, who is staunchly anti-abortion, said he opposes the use of embryonic stem cells, but supports using adult stem cells for medical research.

Leading an active life

Another lawmaker, Rep. Basil Dannebohm, resigned his post in January because he suffered from Parkinson’s. DeGraaf is confident he can represent his district.

Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell, a close friend, said that when he spoke to DeGraaf earlier in the year he was feeling discouraged, unsure of the source of his pain, but that since the diagnosis his mood has been elevated.

“He’s loving life right now. Things are good,” said Howell, a former lawmaker who lived with the DeGraafs in Topeka when he served as a member of the Legislature. “I think it’s discouraging to have a debilitating disease…but it is great to understand it and be able to treat it and be able to cope with it the best that you can.”

DeGraaf said after being diagnosed he went to a seminar in Iowa put on by the Davis Phinney Foundation and was encouraged to see that many people suffering from the disease continue to lead active lives.

“The large majority were older than I am and they’re doing as well or better than. I mean they were perky and walking around smiling,” said DeGraaf, 58. “Sure, there’s plenty to cry about if you want to focus on the negative, but it’s like anything in life: You choose to focus on the things that are true and right rather than the things that are negative.”

DeGraaf is a minister and said his faith has played an important role in shaping his outlook about the disease.

“I’ve known for a long time that the earth is not my home,” he said. “It’s a ministry center, a place to serve.”

His wife shares his optimism.

“I’ve been married to this guy for 30 years and we’ve been through a number of things. It’s not easy,” she said about the diagnosis. “But I’m committed to him for – I’m hoping – for at least another 30 years.”

This story was originally published July 4, 2015 at 2:24 PM with the headline "Diagnosis of Parkinson’s helps Rep. Pete DeGraaf manage disease’s effects."