Interactive showcase invites the public to step into the shoes of people living with Parkinson’s disease, encouraging greater awareness, empathy and understanding of the condition.

For most people, buttoning a shirt, eating a meal or walking across a crowded train platform are everyday tasks that require little thought. For someone living with Parkinson’s disease, however, even these seemingly simple activities can become challenging, unpredictable and frustrating.

American Ninja Warrior competitor and Parkinson’s advocate Jimmy Choi knows this reality all too well. Diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 27 in 2003, Jimmy has spent years challenging perceptions of the condition through his athletic achievements, advocacy and social media presence, where he reaches more than 400,000 followers.

Now, he is bringing that message to Singapore with Warrior 24/7, an interactive exhibition organised by Lien Foundation to help the public better understand the everyday challenges faced by people living with Parkinson’s, affectionately known as Parkinson Warriors, and their caregivers.

The roving exhibition, developed by independent creative agency Kinetic Singapore with input from Jimmy and his wife, Cherryl, Parkinson Society Singapore (PSS), healthcare professionals and students from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), invites visitors to experience some of the physical and mental hurdles associated with the condition. Supported by SIT and City Square Mall (CSM), the exhibition will open at SIT Punggol Campus, W1 Forum, from 31 October to 4 November 2026, before moving to City Square Mall’s Basement 1 Green Square from 7 to 15 November. It will be open daily from 10am to 6pm.

The official launch took place at SIT on 31 October at 11.30am, officiated by Jimmy, who wasc joined by his wife Cherryl to share their experiences as a Parkinson Warrior and care partner. Members of the public are invited to participate in the exhibition from 2pm onwards.

For Cherryl, one of the biggest challenges in raising awareness is making Parkinson’s a subject that people feel comfortable talking about. Rather than hiding the condition from those around them, the couple made a conscious decision to incorporate it into their everyday conversations and family life, believing that openness is an important first step towards normalising the condition.

“Through the years, what we’ve learned is that we’ve talked about Parkinson’s; we didn’t hide from it. So it’s part of the normal conversation,” she said. “It’s something you build up to, where Parkinson’s becomes part of our everyday language, so that it is not so scary. Saying it out loud helps us not hide from it.”

She hopes the public will recognise that people with Parkinson’s can still participate in everyday activities, even if they sometimes require more time, patience or effort. What they need most, she said, is not necessarily for others to step in and do things for them, but for people to understand the challenges they face without making assumptions about their abilities.

“There needs to be a little bit more empathy and a move away from stigma. They are striving towards a better quality of life. That’s all they’re asking for. You don’t need to do things for them. They just want you to understand where they’re coming from.”

Jimmy believes that raising awareness also requires people living with the condition to feel empowered to step out of isolation. While public education and advocacy campaigns play an important role, he feels that Parkinson Warriors themselves must be willing to be seen and participate in society, even when their symptoms attract unwanted attention.

“Parkinson’s awareness starts with them. If they go into isolation, if they hide, there is no awareness, because there’s nothing for the public to see if you’re not out there,” he said.

He encourages fellow Warriors not to let the possibility of being stared at or misunderstood prevent them from going about their daily lives. Jimmy describes his approach with a seemingly provocative philosophy: “Nobody cares.” He is quick to clarify that he does not mean people are indifferent to Parkinson’s, but rather that most people are preoccupied with their own lives and are unlikely to dwell on a brief encounter with someone displaying visible symptoms.

“If you’re out in public and you’re shaking or off balance, people might look because it’s not something they normally see. But as soon as they turn around, they’ve forgotten about you already,” he said. “I shouldn’t be embarrassed because they don’t care. When I leave, chances are I’m not going to see that person ever again.”

Social media has also become an important platform for Jimmy to reach people beyond the Parkinson’s community. His content often revolves around fitness, physical challenges and humorous moments, but there is a deeper message behind every post. By attracting audiences who may initially be interested in his athletic feats, he hopes to introduce them to a better understanding of the condition along the way.

“People follow me for fitness content, but at the same time, they’re learning a little bit more about Parkinson’s. People follow me for some of the silly things that I do, but they’re also learning about Parkinson’s,” he said. “Every single post or video that I put out has a Parkinson’s message underneath, even though the video itself might be something else.”

He sees this broader reach as essential to creating meaningful awareness. While social media can connect people living with Parkinson’s and provide a platform for sharing experiences, it can also be a breeding ground for misinformation, particularly when it comes to supposed treatments and miracle cures.

The couple said they frequently encounter unsolicited recommendations for supplements and alternative treatments, including cannabidiol (CBD). Cherryl stressed that Parkinson’s is a complex condition involving far more than the tremors commonly associated with it, and that managing its many symptoms requires a combination of treatments and support.

“Parkinson’s is not just tremors. There are so many symptoms that we’re trying to manage. There is no cure, and thousands of people are working to understand and research it. It is not going to come from a pill,” she said. “It is not one pill. There is no magic pill. I just want people to stop giving advice. Parkinson’s patients know what they’re feeling. We don’t need internet advice.”

Jimmy, who regularly receives messages from people seeking guidance, is equally conscious of the responsibility that comes with having a large online following. While he appreciates being able to support others, he is careful not to offer medical advice or make assumptions about someone’s circumstances, especially when he does not know their medical history or daily challenges.

“I have to be careful because I’m not a doctor. I don’t know their daily lives, and any advice can mean injury to them,” he explained. With hundreds of messages coming in, he also has to distinguish between those genuinely seeking support and others looking for validation or hoping to promote products. “I don’t sell anything on my social media platforms. That’s important to me.”

For the Choi family, awareness begins at home. The couple chose not to shield their children from Parkinson’s, allowing them to understand their father’s condition as part of everyday family life. Their children grew up seeing the difference between when Jimmy’s medication was working and when he experienced an “off” period, when his symptoms became more pronounced. Their daughter, Karina, who trained with him in the gym, also needed to understand how to recognise these changes and support him.

Jimmy believes that explaining Parkinson’s in familiar terms can help children understand the condition without being frightened by it. He once used a video game analogy when speaking to a group of children, comparing Parkinson’s to a disrupted Wi-Fi connection. Just as a player might want to move a character in a game but find that a poor connection prevents the character from responding, someone with Parkinson’s may want to move but find that their brain is unable to properly communicate with their body.

“I wanted to move. I want my leg to move. But the Wi-Fi is out, so the connection is not there. Your avatar can’t move,” he told them. The analogy helped the children understand that the difficulty was not a lack of willingness to move, but a disruption in the brain’s ability to communicate with the body.

Cherryl added that she makes a point of being open about the condition when her children’s friends visit their home. Rather than allowing the symptoms to become a source of awkwardness or fear, she wants them to understand that Jimmy is still very much the same father and person they know.

“I want them to know that it’s normal. It’s not something odd. We’re not some oddballs out in the middle of nowhere,” she said. By allowing their children’s friends to see Jimmy as an involved father who simply happens to live with Parkinson’s, the couple hopes to remove the misconceptions that can accompany unfamiliar conditions. Cherryl believes children can sometimes be easier to educate than adults because they have fewer preconceived notions. “If you’re straightforward with kids, they will genuinely learn. I think kids retain information much faster than adults.”

Beyond educating others, family has also been central to how the couple finds the resolve to keep moving forward. For Jimmy spending time with his wife and children reminds him of what he is fighting for. It is about being there to support his son, watching his daughter grow into adulthood and continuing to build a life with Cherryl. The couple also wants to keep travelling and experiencing new things together, with their Singapore visit being another milestone to celebrate.

“Enriching our own lives in terms of experiences has definitely helped with our resolve, because we want more of that. And we don’t want Parkinson’s to take that away,” he said.

For Cherryl, their shared advocacy journey has also changed the way she understands the condition and what life with Parkinson’s can look like. When Jimmy was first diagnosed, she feared that he might eventually become wheelchair-bound and that the family would lose the opportunity to travel or even have children. The reality, she said, has been challenging, but it has also shown her the importance of finding the right support and remaining open to possibilities.

“Parkinson’s is hard. I’m not going to lie about that,” she said. “But I think the path we’re taking, I do feel that we’re doing the right thing and helping the community.”

Her message to fellow caregivers is equally important. Having initially believed that she needed to have all the answers and shoulder the responsibilities of caregiving alone, Cherryl has since learnt that accepting help is not a sign of weakness.

“I thought I had to have all the answers and had to do caregiving alone. It turns out there’s a whole community out there willing to help if you just ask. Lean into the help. It doesn’t mean you’re weak. Our circle of support is our biggest blessing and what helps us live well today in all of Parkinson’s ups and downs.”

The need for greater understanding is particularly pressing given the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after dementia, damaging dopamine-producing neurons in the brain and causing symptoms such as tremors, rigidity and slowness of movement. Non-motor symptoms can include fatigue, apathy and depression. In Singapore, an estimated 10,000 people live with the condition, with approximately 400 new cases diagnosed annually, yet awareness of the disease and its many symptoms remains limited.

Conceived and designed by independent creative agency Kinetic Singapore, Warrior 24/7 seeks to bridge this awareness gap through seven interactive stations that simulate different symptoms and everyday challenges experienced by people with Parkinson’s. Visitors can attempt to button a shirt while experiencing simulated muscle rigidity and reduced fine motor control, handle utensils with simulated hand tremors, and navigate a mock MRT platform while experiencing shuffling gait, freezing of movement and restricted step length.

Other stations recreate the difficulties of navigating a food court while balancing a tray, writing with micrographia, and communicating with hypophonia, or abnormally soft speech. The final station invites visitors to reflect on their experience and leave messages of encouragement for Parkinson Warriors and their caregivers. Real-life stories from people living with the condition and their caregivers have also been incorporated into specially designed artefacts, highlighting how medication, rehabilitation and community support can help people manage Parkinson’s. Visitors who complete all seven stations will receive a specially designed keycharm as a reminder of their experience and a symbol of greater understanding and respect for the Parkinson’s community.

The exhibition’s name pays tribute to the resilience of Parkinson Warriors, who navigate the physical and mental challenges of the condition around the clock, including the stigma that often accompanies it. Its three key objectives are to encourage early recognition of symptoms and medical consultation, foster greater empathy and patience among the public, and connect people living with Parkinson’s to the rehabilitation, mental health and social support available through PSS.

“Parkinson’s is the world’s fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition, yet it remains one of the least understood. Many of its early symptoms are mistaken for simply growing older, so they go unrecognised, delaying diagnosis when early intervention matters most,” said Mr Lee Poh Wah, CEO of Lien Foundation.

“Warrior 24/7 puts the public inside a string of ordinary tasks we never think twice about, each one made suddenly effortful and unpredictable. This small window into that reality is the closest most of us will ever come to understanding what Parkinson Warriors navigate every day,” he added.

Beyond the exhibition, Jimmy and Cherryl’s Singapore visit will include engagements with healthcare professionals, fitness trainers and students, extending the conversation about Parkinson’s to those who can play a role in supporting the community. They will also join local Parkinson Warrior Philip Ommen and his wife and caregiver Dawn Curreem, as well as PSS board member and fellow Warrior Edward Pang, at a fully subscribed Parkinson’s symposium attended by people living with the condition, caregivers, healthcare professionals and members of the public.

Pang said Jimmy’s openness and resilience could encourage fellow Parkinson Warriors to take their first steps towards staying active and connected. “At Parkinson Society Singapore, we believe that with the right support and opportunities, Parkinson Warriors can continue to lead active, meaningful and fulfilling lives. They can even make a difference to others with a similar medical condition,” he said.

The campaign also aims to connect people living with Parkinson’s to PSS resources and support, while encouraging sign-ups for KEEP (Kickstart Exercises and Empower Parkinson’s), a nationwide community support and rehabilitation programme launched earlier this year.

For Jimmy and Cherryl, the ultimate goal is not simply to help people recognise the symptoms of Parkinson’s, but to encourage a more compassionate understanding of what it means to live with the condition. Through Warrior 24/7, they hope visitors will walk away with more than a glimpse of the challenges faced by Parkinson Warriors. They hope people will recognise the person behind the symptoms — someone who still wants to work, exercise, spend time with family and live a fulfilling life.

Warrior 24/7 exhibition details:

• SIT Punggol Campus: 31 October to 4 November 2026, 10am–6pm daily, W1 Forum (Ground Level).
• City Square Mall: 7 to 15 November 2026, 10am–6pm daily, Basement 1, Green Square.
• Official launch: 31 October 2026, 11.30am, at SIT Punggol Campus. Public participation begins at 2pm.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the exhibition and share their experiences. Follow @lienfoundation and @parkinsonsocietysingapore on social media and use #Warrior247 to join the conversation.