Ryan Reynolds Reveals How Father Struggled With Parkinson’s Disease For 2 Decades And Mother’s ‘Caregiver Fatigue’

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Ryan Reynolds spoke about his father, James Chester, who battled Parkinson’s disease before passing away in 2015. In an interview with People Magazine, the actor shared that he had witnessed his dad’s health struggles from various perspectives. He admitted it took time for him to fully comprehend the diagnosis and realize that Chester would experience hallucinations and delusions as part of the condition.

For approximately two decades, Chester struggled with his illness. Additionally, he confided that his father’s condition also affected his mother, Tammy, deeply. In a heartfelt conversation with a media outlet, Reynolds disclosed, “There is a genuine exhaustion that comes from being a caregiver, and it feels like carrying a heavy burden, one that makes you responsible for not just the person you’re caring for, but also yourself.

He also mentioned, “My mother was the one. She took care of my father, serving as the main caretaker. When someone is as proud as he was, he wouldn’t accept help from others. That’s why I empathize with them just as much as the patients. So when they reach out to me, I always find time for each and every one of them, not only those battling the illness.

As reported by the National Institutes of Health, Parkinson’s is an ongoing condition that impacts the body’s nervous system. Over its course, the signs and symptoms become more severe, potentially leading to complications such as sleep disturbances, mood disorders like depression, and feelings of exhaustion.

As he continued to discuss his father’s health situation, The Proposal actor shared that Chester was an optimistic individual who mentioned his illness only rarely – just twice during his entire life. Reynolds expressed one heartfelt desire: if better medical care had been available back then, perhaps his father could have lived a bit longer.

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2025-04-27 22:22