The Parkinson’s Disease Association of San Diego (PDASD) will present Point Loma resident Catherine Rodriguez with the Spirit of Life Award at its eighth annual fundraising gala Sunday, Oct. 17. Catherine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease on May 10, 1999. She recalls the date vividly because she was the principal at a primarily-Hispanic school at the time. May 10 is the day Hispanics celebrate Mother’s Day, regardless of what day of the week it falls, she said. Catherine went to the neurologist’s office in the morning, heard the diagnosis and left. She immediately called her husband, Frank, from the road. “I called my husband on the way back to school,” Catherine said. “He asked me if I was going to die, and I said ‘no.’” She arrived back at school, where the kindergarten classroom was having a Mother’s Day tea for the children and their mothers. Catherine put the life-changing information she had just learned aside in order to play mother to the children whose real mothers were unable to attend. That strength, perseverance and drive did not end there. After arriving home that day, Catherine opened the phonebook and looked up Parkinson’s Disease. She dialed the first number she found, which was for the PDASD. “When you are 43 years old and the doctor tells you that you have Parkinson’s, you are not thinking logically,” Catherine said. Catherine said the woman on the other end of the phone at PDASD gave her helpful information, which satisfied the curiosity and fears in Catherine’s mind. “People get stricken with various diseases and she didn’t let it get her down,” Frank said. “She lives with a lot of enthusiasm and bravery.” In 2004, she advocated for Proposition 71, the same stem-cell research proposition for which Michael J. Fox voiced strong support for. “She exemplifies the kind of person that we value in terms of helping others through her efforts to remain independent,” said Ron Hendrix, Ph.D., executive director of PDASD. Parkinson’s Disease is a movement disorder, Hendrix said. “The most characteristic part [of the disease] is the tremor,” he said. It is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that can cause instability, trem-ors, rigidity and stiffness. “We don’t have anything to stop or slow the disease,” Hendrix said. PDASD raises funds for research and strives to keep the estimated 60,000 San Diegans affected by the disease informed about topics ranging from treatment, exercise and facts about the illness. “The way we look at it, it’s not a disease that you do by yourself; it affects the whole family and the community,” Hendrix said. He said that Catherine has been the top fundraiser for the annual Parkinson’s 5K for several years. “We have an outstanding person who exemplifies the spirit of life and brings hope to other people because she is so active,” Hendrix said. Catherine uses her skills from working as an educator to teach others about Parkinson’s. “You’re not happy that you’ve got it, but once you’ve got it its not the end of your life,” she said. She is a tireless voice striving for new medical legislation, acquiring donations and speaking to members of the state assembly and state senate. She participates in support groups and frequently talks to people about Parkinson’s. “I have a service dog — Parkinson’s walking dog — the two of us volunteer at the Library and at schools reading to children,” Catherine said. She is retired and lives with her husband in Point Loma. They have two children and five grand children. Catherine enjoys quilting, sewing and spending time with her family. 8th ANNUAL SPIRIT OF LIFE FUNDRAISING GALA WHEN: 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 17 WHERE: Hilton La Jolla, Torrey Pines WHAT: Dinner, silent and live auction and entertainment will be part of the celebration. COST: Tickets are $150 and tables of eight are available for $1,200. INFORMATION: For reservations or information, call (858) 273-6763, or visit www.pasd.org.