Hope on the Horizon: The Bailey Family’s Mission for a Parkinson’s Cure

Monday, 24th November 2025

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In November 2025, Scott and Olivia Bailey embarked on an annual adventure – finishing the world’s toughest half-marathon, the Point to Pinnacle. For Team Bailey, this isn’t just an opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and complete a physical challenge, but a chance to make a difference for all those impacted by Parkinson’s disease, a cause close to their heart.

“Scott was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease at only 39”, Olivia says, “and it has changed how we tackle every day and what our future looks like.”

“When Scott was diagnosed, I felt quite helpless, but by supporting Parkinson’s research and creating awareness, it makes me feel like I’m helping in some small way. Currently there is no cure for Parkinson’s , but if we are able to slow the progression or find a cure it gives us hope for our future, it will mean everyday tasks for Scott will hopefully be easier and he will have a more enjoyable quality of life and time with his family.”

Together, the Bailey family’s efforts have contributed close to $40,000 for Shake It Up, with every single dollar going directly to groundbreaking Australian research projects that are pushing us closer to slowing, stopping and curing Parkinson’s disease. ‘Team Bailey’ is the definition of community, now with 3 generations participating. Olivia and Scott’s daughter took part in Point to Pinnacle for the first time, as well as Olivia’s mum and dad, brother, niece, nephews and Scott’s brother, along with their supportive friends.

Raising Crucial Community Awareness of Life with Parkinson’s

Beyond raising funds, awareness is top of mind for Scott and Olivia. They want people to have more understanding of what life with Parkinson’s is like, and why research is so vital for those in the Parkinson’s community.

“Creating awareness around Young Onset Parkinson’s has been important to me”, Scott says. “The challenges of raising a young family in this stage of life is so different to Parkinson’s later in life. Trying to get people to realise that there is so much more than tremor involved, and that what you’re able to do at 9am can be greatly different to what you might be able to do at 11 am. Doing normal ‘parent’ activities, such as helping out at your kids sporting events, can be become a huge undertaking.”

Scott particularly wants to increase people’s understanding about the realities of ‘on’ and ‘off’ times with Parkinson’s disease, when taking medication.

“Extra tasks may be given to you because you seem to be doing so well, when the reality is you are barely able to stand and are putting on a brave face in front of your children. At the same time you’re looking for a drink to have your next dose of levadopa, as your brain calculates when each dose is due, cross referenced with what activities need to be done and every possible variable such as the dose taking longer to kick in and the sense of panic if any of these change.

During my on periods I often get told, “You’re obviously doing well” and “the medication must be working”, as if it is making me better rather than just hiding the symptoms.”

Tackling the Challenges Together 

On the flip side, Scott says, he also wants people to realise that there is so much people with Parkinson’s can achieve.

“Yes, adjustments must be made but you have to keep living and if you can, you must. I can still compete in the world’s toughest half marathon. It’s tough but like life, one foot in front of the other and you eventually will get to where you need to go.”

The Baileys are motivated by a sense of community and collaboration, and they know that together, we can achieve our vision of a world without Parkinson’s.

“I may not be able to find a cure but I can support research, which will hopefully help slow the progression of the disease and one day find a cure”, says Olivia. “Every contribution is allowing our clever scientists and doctors to do more research and ultimately give us hope in what our future looks like.”

Hope on the Horizon

For Scott and Olivia, ‘hope’ is the key word.

“There are some very exciting trials happening around the world at the moment and my hope is that Scott gets in to one of these trials and gets to see the benefits. And then those who are newly diagnosed can have hope that there is a cure”, Olivia says.

Scott says research gives him hope. “When I was first diagnosed I was in denial, then had a feeling of almost “what’s the use” as there is no cure and no matter what I do the disease will progress. Then I look at my family and I know that I have to at least try and do all I can, and believe that a breakthrough is just around the corner. Sometimes you feel like we are getting no closer, then a story comes out and you are given hope again. A lot of smart people are working on this, so I’ll do my little bit while I can.”

Listen to Scott and Olivia share more about their journey on The Shake It Up Show podcast

Team Bailey encourage everyone to join the mission for a Parkinson’s cure and make a difference for the 200,000 Australians living with Parkinson’s, as well as the 38 Aussies diagnosed every single day.

“Together we can all make a difference. Every dollar goes directly into research for a cure, which is the ultimate goal.”

This Christmas, you can help us give researchers the best chance of uncovering a cure. Science is closer than ever before, and your support can propel progress towards a future without Parkinson’s. 100% of every single donation goes directly to Australia’s best and brightest researchers working hard to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s disease. Give the gift of research today.