He's hero to Parkinson's patients

[Plaschke, from D1]

- 

It's that time of year when folks talk about arguably the greatest moment in Dodger history, Gibson's one-legged, two-run homer against future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley to win the World Series opener against the Oakland Athletics and spark the team to a 1988 championship.

For many, an indelible memory. But in many ways, he’s no longer the same Kirk Gibson.

In 2015, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement.

Today, his home-run gait around the bases would be wobbly, and his right fist pumps would be shaky, and afterward he might need help in the locker room buttoning his shirt.

But one thing that has remained powerful is his fire.

"You battle through it!"

He is battling it such that this fall, he will hit another monumental home run, this one far more impactful than any previous October blast.

On Oct. 6, in a gleaming building located in the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills, Gibson will formally open the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's Wellness.

For those like me, heaven.

There are few places in the country quite like it—this giant, 30,000-square feet warehouse dedicated to Parkinson's patients, complete with two gyms, 11 spaces for movement classes, a track, a social space and even quiet rooms for those experiencing the off times that occur during those dreaded gaps in the daily medication.

And it’s all free. For everyone. All the time.

"It was fun to hit the home run, but this involves a lot more people," Gibson said.

"We're trying to create a culture where people with Parkinson's can thrive.

Instead of sitting home being depressed, you come out and occupy your mind and participate in classes and deal with your life."

Gibson is so ingrained in his created community that he has an office in the middle of the building and shows up nearly every day to coach a most unlikely looking squad.