Kirk Gibson a two-time World Series champion and former National League MVP, has spent the past eleven years confronting Parkinson’s disease after his diagnosis in 2015. The early tremor he first sensed while shaving in 2007 eventually led to a formal diagnosis, but rather than retreating, he redirected the competitive drive that defined his baseball career toward a new mission: helping others live actively despite the disease.
In 2025 Gibson opened the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The facility was designed as a community hub where people with Parkinson’s could exercise, socialize, and escape the isolation that often accompanies the condition. By offering a schedule of 180 classes per week the center provides a breadth of activities ranging from mobility drills to art workshops, all at no cost to participants.
Inside the center: a week of movement and connection
The daily program runs Monday through Friday, delivering a rotating menu of classes that cater to varied interests and abilities. Mobility and stretching sessions target balance and flexibility, while tai chi and qigong promote mindful movement. Creative outlets such as painting workshops and a singing group give members a chance to express themselves, and specialized classes address speech, cognition, and social interaction. This diversity ensures that no two members need share the exact same routine, fostering a sense of personal agency.
Program highlights
Among the most popular offerings are the speech-therapy circles which use guided exercises to improve vocal strength, and the cognitive games that stimulate memory and attention. The fitness area includes a newly opened multipurpose gymnasium, equipped with adaptive equipment donated by local businesses. All of these resources are provided free of charge; the center does not bill private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, a policy emphasized by CEO Mary Lynn Foster.
Funding the mission and a national honor
The Kirk Gibson Foundation has set an ambitious target of $32 million over the next two years to sustain and expand the center’s services. As of now, roughly half of that amount has been secured, thanks to major gifts—including a seven-figure contribution from Rocket Companies executive Jay Farner—and an ongoing “Inspiring Hope” campaign that has already raised $15.5 million. These funds support not only the free programming but also future projects such as expanding the membership base, which currently stands at 800 and is projected to surpass 1,500 by the close of 2026.
Gibson’s advocacy has earned broader recognition. In November, he will receive the Stan Musial Award for Extraordinary Character at the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis, honoring both his athletic legacy and his humanitarian work. The award ceremony, televised on CBS, will also celebrate tennis pioneer Billie Jean King, underscoring the cultural impact of Gibson’s post-playing career.
Partnering with the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, which maintains an independent office within the building, the center creates a seamless network of medical expertise and community support. While the two organizations operate separately, their co-location amplifies outreach, giving families a single point of entry for resources, education, and peer connections.
Looking ahead, Gibson remains focused on turning the center’s success into a replicable model for other regions. He envisions a future where the “home run” he hit in 1988 is matched by a nationwide movement that erodes the barriers faced by those living with Parkinson’s. As he often says, “The sky’s the limit when you have good friends and mentors behind you.”
