TELEVISION
‘I’m going to be alright.’ WHO meteorologist diagnosed with Parkinson’s
Lucia ChengDes Moines Register
Aug. 21, 2026, 6:01 a.m. CT
WHO 13 meteorologist Jason Parkin shared that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a long-term neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system
He received his diagnosis during the same week fellow WHO meteorologist Jeriann Ritter was diagnosed with ALS — and from the same Des Moines neurologist, according to an Iowa Capital Dispatch column
“In all my years in TV news, I’ve never heard of a situation like the one the NBC affiliate in Des Moines is dealing with,” retired KCCI-TV news director Dave Busiek, who was once Parkin’s boss, wrote
“The diagnosis was actually kind of a relief,” Parkin said. “Because it had just been a long time, and no one could figure out why I was so tired all the time. And it was like, ‘Oh, OK, now we know.'”
Parkin initially didn’t want to share his diagnosis because he didn’t want the attention
“I didn’t want people tuning in to see if Jason’s shaking on the air,” he told Busiek
But after attending an American Parkinson Disease Association conference in June, Parkin decided that he could use his TV fame to help raise money for other people affected by the disease. He agreed to emcee the APDA’s Iowa Optimism Walk on Sept. 19 at Walker Johnston Park in Urbandale
Parkin’s team, “The Cumulonimbros”, is also trying to raise $7,500 for the organization. As of Aug. 20, the team has raised 63% of its goal
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, according to an academic journal. Parkin said that statistic isn’t just the result of an aging population or genetics. He’s read some reports that link pesticides in the environment to the emergence of Parkinson’s
The most common symptom of the disease is a tremor, according to the Mayo Clinic. As the disease progresses, speech can become slurred, and patients can have balance issues or slow movements
“If I can bring attention to this, if I can help raise money for research, then I’ll stop being quiet about it, and I’ll try and help,” Parkin said
Now that Parkin has been diagnosed, he’s been able to take medication to help with fatigue and tremors. He said that the best treatment for Parkinson’s is to exercise as much as possible to get your heart rate up to 80% of capacity. But because he’s so lethargic, it’s difficult for him to achieve that
“Because the disease is growing so fast and number and affecting so many people, there’s money there to be made, right?” Parkin said. “I hate to say that, but there’s a lot of money going into research, new drugs, new therapies. And so, again, I don’t sit around and dwell on it. I think it’s gonna be manageable.”
‘I try not to worry’ WHO meteorologist says about Parkinson’s diagnosis
Since posting his Facebook video, thousands of people have expressed their support and helped donate to his APDA team
Parkin has also met dozens of other people in varying stages of the disease. They’ve helped open his eyes to what’s coming down the road. He credits Scott, someone slightly older than him, as the person who taught him the most about typical treatment options
At first, he dealt with anxiety about his diagnosis after the relief faded. But he’s now at the point where he tries not to worry too much
“I’m a God guy,” Parkin said. “I’m not saying I’m a perfect human being, but I try not to worry because it’s a pointless emotion. It’s not productive. And I know how all this is going to end. I’m going to be alright.”
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132
