2024 Autumn Conference Resources

Passion to Persist is a compelling documentary that chronicles the life of Hadley Ferguson, a renowned artist whose work includes two remarkable murals at the Montana State Capitol. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2010 and later with Multiple System Atrophy, Hadley begins each day with immense physical effort—taking up to 40 minutes just to get out of bed. Despite this and other daunting health challenges, Hadley remains an unstoppable force of creativity and advocacy. 

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Her story is one of perseverance, not just through her art but through the powerful community she has built. In response to her diagnosis, Hadley founded Summit for Parkinson’s, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Montanans living with the disease. Her enduring spirit and creativity are also reflected in her profound friendship with Catherine Armsden, a fellow artist and Parkinson’s patient, who has written a book about their shared journey.

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This film celebrates Hadley’s artistic achievements and explores the resilience of the human spirit. Through intimate interviews and touching scenes, Passion to Persist offers an inspiring look at the power of art, friendship, and determination in the face of life’s greatest challenges. Join us in celebrating Hadley’s incredible journey and witness how passion and persistence can triumph over adversity.

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Project Team

Our talented creative team brings deep expertise and a personal connection to the Parkinson’s and movement disorders community.

 

Hadley Ferguson – Project Co-creator
Hadley Ferguson, a Missoula-based artist. Despite her health challenges, she continues to advocate for others living with movement disorders as the founder of Summit for Parkinson’s and as a member of the Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council.

 

Catherine Armsden – Project Co-creator
Catherine Armsden is an author and retired architect whose first novel, Dream House, was published in 2015. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009, she wrote a book about her friendship with Hadley, titled An Alert Well-Hydrated Artist in No Acute Distress.

 

Dave Iverson – Director/Writer
Dave Iverson, a retired broadcast journalist and PBS filmmaker, has created two films on Parkinson’s. Dave was diagnosed with the disease in 2004 and is a founding member of the Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council.

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Damon Ristau – Co-Director/Photographer/Editor
Damon Ristau, owner of FilmWest in Missoula, MT, has directed internationally acclaimed films, including The Bus and The Bug. He co-founded the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and has a personal connection to Parkinson’s through his father.