‘Take responsibility’
by Dave Morris · November 05, 2009

Longtime Mount Vernon resident Jim Evans has a straightforward message to share, and it’s one he practices in his daily life: “Take responsibility for your own health care. Be good to yourself.”

Evans, who retired in 2004 after teaching art for 20 years at Solon High School, puts forth a daily fight against Parkinson’s Disease, but he’s not about to let it dominate his life.

It was in 2002 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. His hands trembled, and he had trouble with his speech and balance. Specific Parkinson’s causes are unknown, although some researchers point to genetic conditions or environmental factors.

“The school did everything they could to help me,” he said, noting that modifications were made to his classroom and his schedule was adjusted to allow for some rest time in the afternoon. He said he retired because “I just felt the kids deserved the best.”

He was using a walker and soon his weight ballooned to 277 pounds. Evans credits his work with Mount Vernon certified fitness trainer Christine Davis as making the difference in the quality of life he now leads.

Together, Evans and Davis have taken a three-pronged approach involving nutrition, exercise and spirituality. Now down to 198 pounds, Evans has made the choice to fight the disease by living healthfully. He’s on medication for the Parkinson’s Disease, and feels it works better due to his daily routine.

“Chris attributes my progress to determination and hard work,” Evans said. “I attribute it to her.”

Davis said Evans’ progress is all about the decisions he’s made. Currently, they meet about once a month to review progress on his weight, muscle tone and diet.

“Jim is dedicated to having the best quality of life he could with Parkinson’s, which of course is a progressive disease,” she said. “Few work harder than Jim does. He’s just dedicated to it. Jim is living the good life because he works out and chooses to live healthfully. I just gave him the tools – he uses them.”

Since taking charge of his health, Evans has put the walker away and is leading an active life.

“The thing that’s absolutely amazing is that I have better hand control. My balance has returned, and there’s no need for naps. The Parkinson’s is so much better,” he said. “The body is pretty amazing, I’ve learned.”

A typical day involves walking two miles, exercising with free weights for a half-hour of resistance training, spending time in his studio painting, and doing chores around the house. Three times a week, Evans heads to Iowa City to swim laps.

Evans also credits his wife, Mary, who is employed by the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, for encouraging him each step of the way. They enjoy traveling, something that he could not have continued had he not worked to regain his strength. Last November, they spent three weeks in Wales, where he did family research, and England and France. In December, they will travel up the Nile and visit the historical sites in Egypt.

“Before I started this exercise, no way could I go to Egypt and hike this terrain,” Evans said.

One thing that has remained important to Evans is painting. It’s a part of the daily routine for him. He’s sold some of his works through galleries and others go to family members. The disease settled in his hands first, and for an artist, that was hard to take.

“I thought it was God’s joke,” he said, adding that even though his symptoms aren’t as profound now, “If I have to tie brushes to my feet, I’ll keep working.”

Evans has multiple degrees in art. His undergraduate work is from Western Illinois University (1971). He also earned an M.A. (1972) and M.F.A. (1973) from the University of Iowa.

He spent a number of years as a ceramic engineer before getting a teaching degree from Cornell College (1982). The Evanses’ early married life included a stint in Africa, where he developed a brick plant for the nation of Liberia. Since he was directly employed by the Liberian government, he had to get U.S. government permission. Later he worked for Rival, where he helped develop the Crock Pot, as well as at Eljer and Drexel, the latter as a plant manager.

Evans also is active in the local Masonic Lodge No. 112, as well as the Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite. He handles investments for both groups and figures he spends a couple of hours a day doing research, using Warren Buffett as his model. He’s gone so far as to study the writings of Buffett’s teacher, Benjamin Graham, who taught at Columbia University.

Determined to stay active as long as possible, Evans said his primary goal has been, “Stay out of the nursing home. I never got depressed, never got down. It’s amazing what our bodies can do. If you can move, there’s hope, and you can improve.”

Still, he’s not denying the nature of living with Parkinson’s.

“There’s no cure. It’s progressive. It’s going to get worse. We’re all hoping that they find a cure,” Evans said.

As a proponent of the idea that a patient must be an advocate for his or her own health care, Evans has been doing his part. When being treated by the neurology department at University Hospitals in Iowa City, he volunteered to take part in research on how the disease affects driving.

“I told the university, I’d like to fight back,” he said.

It’s that tenacious attitude – including fighting the good fight against Parkinson’s – that has impressed Davis.

“He’s a wonderful example – attitude is everything,” she said. “I’m proud to know him.”