Pattie Petty has Parkinson's disease

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

DOVER, Del. -- Pattie Petty, wife of former NASCAR driver and TV analyst Kyle Petty, has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

The 60-year-old Petty said she suspected she had the disease in early 2010. He father suffered from Parkinson's. Petty is the tenth person at The University of Kansas Hospital to undergo a breakthrough test to diagnose Parkinson's disease and other tremors.

"I am relieved that my family and I are confident in my diagnosis and can focus on the work we have ahead of us to live with Parkinson's disease," she said. "Kyle and I have already been blessed by the outpouring support to bring Victory Junction Midwest to Greater Kansas City and we feel doubly blessed that we have a strong and dedicated group of professionals at University of Kansas Hospital providing us with the latest medical technology and assisting us with this disease."

The NASCAR world has long embraced the Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp, started to honor the memory of their son Adam, who was killed while racing. The camp serves children with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses, and stands as a virtual monument to the generosity of the NASCAR community, with almost all its members having made sizable contributions.

The Pettys have been married 33 years.

"Pattie's dedication to Victory Junction Midwest is firm," said Kyle Petty. "Staying active is an important part of managing Parkinson's and that will not be hard for my wife. Pattie will not let Parkinson's regulate her life."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print