Hope is key when diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (CLICK FOR MORE):

"It started getting more attention after some notable figures like Michael J.. Fox, Muhammed Ali, and Janet Reno confirmed they had it: Parkinson's Disease. It's a disease that affects thousands of people in the United States. There's still a lot to be learned about Parkinson's, but researchers are making daily strides to accomplish that goal. That's why hope is what doctors say is the key to successful living with Parkinson's Disease.

Francis and Joe Kao live in Hackberry. Joe says, 'It's been pleasant. At nine o'clock, you can hear the silence of nature.'

But things aren't so easy for the couple. Joe suffers from Parkinson's Disease. Although difficult, Francis says Joe's personality what keeps him going. She says, 'He's got a great attitude and that's been very helpful.'

Also helpful is their Neurosurgeon Reynard Odenheimer. Francis says, 'We found Dr. Odenheimer and he has given us a lot of hope for the future.'

And hope, Dr. Odenheimer says, is the goal. 'My focus is quality of life. Certainly, we're interested in what the future holds, but we're more interested in optimizing their quality of life in this day and this year..."