Top: Old Navy; Dress: TJ Maxx; Shoes: Payless
My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease when he was 36 years old. I was about 11 or 12. My grandpa (my dad's dad) was diagnosed almost a year ago with it as well. It has touched my family and changed each one of us in different ways. My dad was forced to retire from his dream career as a pilot and a captain. He has taken every step since his diagnosis with nothing but grace. My mom has been with him every step of the way. Her support and loyalty to him has been a shining example to me not only because of her strength in facing his diagnosis, but because she so clearly does not define him by it.
Believe it or not I can tie this back to my outfit. I am proudly wearing my "Be Brave" bracelet. Or, rather, Bravelet. My mom came across these and now we each (along with my grandma) wear these and remember that not only are the men in our lives brave, but we are too. Even when it is hard. I really love mine because a portion of the proceeds goes towards Parkinson's research, but also because it is not quite the loud rubber accessory you see so often. These Bravelets come in many different colors in support of many different causes and they are adding more all the time.