Little Big Town‘s Kimberly Schlapman has teamed up with pharmaceutical research company AbbVie to advocate for Parkinson’s disease awareness. It’s all part of their Changing the Tune of Parkinson’s Disease campaign, but for Schlapman, it’s personal.
Speaking to Taste of Country Nights‘ Evan Paul, Schlapman says her advocacy work was sparked by her mother Barbar’s experience with the degenerative disease, which has been slowly progressing for over 20 years.
The country star, her husband, and their two children recently moved back to Schlapman’s childhood hometown to live near and care for Barbara, whose Parkinson’s has become more debilitating over time. While she and her family live full-time in South Carolina now, she still has a small place in Nashville, where she spend a good chunk of time working with Little Big Town on various projects.
But not only has Schlapman decided to take on the 24/7 care of her mother, the musician wants to spread the word and help others impacted by the disease, too.
“I’m so passionate about everything that goes along with Parkinson’s disease. Its all about empowering people that live with Parkinson’s, or the people that take care of them,” Schlapman says.
Although Schlapman’s mother isn’t able to move around as freely as she used to, her spirit hasn’t changed. “She’s fighting with everything she has, she’s fighting this disease,” the singer says.
READ MORE: Kimberly Schlapman Reveals Big Secret About Her Marriage
It’s easier to navigate a disease such as Parkinson’s when you have someone like Schlapman by your side, advocating for better care, more kindness, and more research.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which certain brain cells gradually die, leading to symptoms including tremors, slowness of movement, stiffness, impaired balance, and changes in mood, sleep, and cognitive abilities.
In the U.S., it’s estimated about 1.1 million people are currently living with Parkinson’s disease as of 2025. That number is expected to rise by 2030.
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