This article touches on the difficult topic of suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, it’s important to seek help. The Suicide Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling or texting 9-8-8. Additionally, you can reach out to a local mental health professional or visit the nearest emergency department for immediate assistance. You are not alone, and there are people who care and want to help.
Ryan Oevermann is a fifth-degree black belt in Taekwon-Do, international bestselling author, loving husband, and father of two on a mission to inspire others. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at the age of 43, the Sun Peaks skier, snowboarder, and golfer is committed to navigating the complexities of life with relentless optimism and humour.
When Ryan was first diagnosed, however, his world took a dark and unexpected turn. The shock and grief were difficult to bear, leading to some of the darkest days in his life thus far. As the primary breadwinner, he found himself grappling with fears of becoming a burden, even briefly experiencing disappointment that PD wasn’t terminal because at least then, his family would have his life insurance benefit. Overwhelmed and feeling kicked down, Ryan faced moments shadowed by suicidal thoughts (not plans). He worried most about telling his children, who were 12 and 14 years old when he was diagnosed, but had to tell them before going public with the news.
During his initial appointments, a neurologist offered him unexpected advice: whether or not it turned out to be Parkinson’s, he should keep living his life fully. At first, the words felt dismissive, but over time, Ryan came to appreciate their wisdom. The journey has not been easy, but despite the frustrations in managing ‘on/off’ phases while working and teaching at his Taekwon-Do academy, as well as coping with symptoms like shuffling gait and inarticulate speech, his optimism and zest for life returned.
Taekwon-Do, in particular, has been instrumental in shaping his resilient attitude to meet any challenge head-on. After getting his black belt in high school, his entire adult life has been committed to the lifestyle, or “do” as it is called. The core tenets of Taekwon-Do (courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit) have allowed him to face adversity with unwavering determination.
Ryan already had his fourth-degree black belt when he was diagnosed with PD and has not let his movement disorder stop him from advancing in his practice. While testing for his fifth-degree black belt, his medication was inhibited by anxiety and stress. Despite this, Ryan was successful. He proudly reflects that the examiner stated, “Forget Parkinson’s, you earned this with one of the best performances I’ve seen.”
In February of this year, Ryan would face the biggest mental challenge yet. He was slated to have Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, a procedure designed to alleviate symptoms of PD by delivering electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain. “I had no other option,” he says. It felt like the disorder was “gobbling up the medication and leveling up after each appointment.”
Risks of surgery are always carefully assessed and communicated to the patient. Ryan was told there was a less than five percent chance of a complication, “but when your life is on the line, that five percent is all you can see,” he says. He spent months preparing for himself and his family for the worst, but as an optimist, expected the best – and got it.
The difference between life pre- and post-DBS is like “night and day.” He can now quarter his medication and get the same, or better, response from it. “There are even some days I can almost forget about Parkinson’s (almost). Other days, not so much,” Ryan says.
Embracing his situation with humour, Ryan doesn’t shy away from difficult or uncomfortable moments. Even though his hair covers the scarring and electrodes under his scalp, the device’s pacemaker is visible below his collar bone, especially when his shirt is off. Recently, Ryan was in a hot tub at a hotel and noticed a child mesmerized by the pacemaker. Ryan leaned over and asked the boy, “I have been looking for my computer mouse all day. Can you see where it is?” The boy lit up and pointed, “It’s right there!” Everyone, including the parents, had a laugh.
In Chronicles of a Parky, his first book, Ryan offers this type of humour and hope to individuals navigating Parkinson’s. He originally started writing his experiences down to laugh about them, but later realized he had a talent. As he struggled with his spoken speech, writing became the best way he could leave a positive impact in the world.
Looking ahead, Ryan has much to be excited about. He will turn 50 next year and celebrate 25 years with his loving wife, Sue. He plans to complete the second book in his Chronicles of a Parky series and is also writing Always Push the Swing, a legacy gift and love letter for his children that will guide them in life. Ryan looks forward to several speaking engagements, including a TEDx talk in 2026, and aims to achieve his sixth- and seventh-degree black belts. Above all, he is eager to be involved in his family’s life and witness their journeys toward greatness.
Since writing and publishing his book, many people have confided in Ryan about their own diagnoses, regardless of disorder, and he feels truly honoured by their trust. In those vulnerable moments, he looks them in the eye and offers heartfelt reassurance, saying, “I know it’s scary, but you aren’t alone.” Ryan understands the profound power of connection, and he always takes the opportunity to genuinely see the other person. “Isn’t that what we all seek,” he asks, “to be seen and understood by someone who can say, ‘I feel your pain, and it’s going to be okay?’”
Learn more about Ryan’s book, Chronicles of a Parky: A Lighter Look at a Shaky Existence.