A native french Parisian, Jacqueline learned early in life that hard work reaps its own rewards.  As an 11-year-old refugee from the horrors of war in Europe, she had to learn English quickly in the U.S. in order to avoid torment by her young American peers.  So, within a year, she lost her French accent.  That kind of determination has been hers ever since.  Her goals are high and she refuses to give up until they've been reached.

 

Jacqueline is an organizational behavior specialist and long-time community organizer drawn to non-profit causes.  A multi-faceted woman with degrees and certificates in fashion design, geology, public administration, management and computer science, she is also an award-winning painter, sculptor and author (for her memoir, "Chased By Demons") who honed her management skills as a former Fortune 500 manager, and CEO of her own company.  After raising her 2 children and as a 40-year-old reentry college student, she became a Community College Student Body President and organized a statewide "Woman Emerging Conference". 

 

Her latest cause, Parkinson's Disease (PD), is particularly near and dear to her -- her own husband had early symptoms in 1991. In 2014, she founded Orange County's unique 501(c)(3) specialty gym, Parkinson's Exercise Program for Wellness (PEP4U).  "Its free Parkinson-physical therapy, socializing and friendships are PEP4U's objectives, as are caregiving support", says Jacqueline.  And, because public awareness is critical, she promotes community PD alliances and regular fund-raising events to keep PEP4U "alive and well." 

Alan Massing, MD was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio where--shortly after graduating high school--he married his holocaust survivor sweetheart. His friends describe him as a quiet, caring, highly intelligent man of the highest moral character--with a special sense of humor!

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After receiving his medical degree from Cleveland's Western Reserve University, he and Jacqueline moved to California where Alan did his internship and residency at UC San Francisco. Two children, four homes and 40 years of medical practice later, Alan was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Rather than wallow in self-pity, Alan decided to deal with PD one day at a time.  After retiring, he and his now caregiver wife moved south to

Orange County, California.

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Music was always one of his favorite pastimes. So when Alan heard about the “Tremble Clefs,” a music therapy choir for PD victims and their caregivers, he and his wife joined it.  It has been an important source of pleasure as well as voice control.  After he and Jacqueline launched PEP4U, he became its most regular participant, thus now also improving his body's strength.