By Philip De Rita on October 1, 2025
How One Woman’s Diagnosis Became a Community’s Lifeline
In the heart of Ocean County, New Jersey, a grassroots movement is quietly changing lives—and it’s being led by someone who knows the Parkinson’s journey firsthand.
Meet Michelle Oxx: mother, former teacher, community advocate, and founder of The Oxx Foundation: Embracing the Journey. Launched in early 2023, this nonprofit doesn’t just offer resources—it offers belonging. “We’re not a diagnosis. We’re not a statistic. We’re neighbors helping neighbors,” Michelle says. “And we’re working through the challenges of Parkinson’s, together.”
Michelle’s Parkinson’s diagnosis wasn’t something she welcomed, but it was something she embraced. “The alternative was not okay,” she explains. “So I decided to embrace the journey—and in doing so, wanted to help others do the same.” That philosophy became both the name and heartbeat of her foundation.
Unlike larger national organizations, the Oxx Foundation is local, personal, and deeply rooted in lived experience. It’s not about statistics or sterile facts. It’s about human connection and real-life impact.
The Oxx Foundation offers support that goes far beyond medical terminology. Its mission is to ease the emotional and mental toll Parkinson’s takes on individuals and families, many of whom are still reeling from life changes they didn’t choose.
Michelle knows this grief well. “When I had to stop teaching, it was heartbreaking. I didn’t go out on my own terms,” she recalls. “You grieve the life you thought you’d have.”
That empathy fuels the Foundation’s work, which includes:
Whether it’s an evening of art therapy or a simple conversation over coffee, the Foundation offers something that’s often missing in clinical settings: understanding.
Parkinson’s doesn’t only affect the elderly. With earlier diagnoses on the rise, many in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are navigating careers, caregiving, and parenting while managing symptoms. The Oxx Foundation shines a light on these stories—and meets people where they are.
Michelle describes the Foundation as the “mom-and-pop shop” of Parkinson’s care. “It’s like Cheers. Everyone knows your name,” she says with a laugh. “There’s a comfort in that.”
And the reach is growing. From Toms River to Red Bank, Jackson to Little Egg Harbor, word is spreading. Healthcare providers are inviting Oxx to host support groups at their facilities. Local chambers and Rotary Clubs are welcoming Michelle to share her story and the Foundation’s work.
At the core of Oxx Foundation is a small but mighty team, entirely volunteer-based. Michelle’s daughters, Kaitlyn and Madison, help coordinate events and logistics. Her son Andrew is lovingly known as the “heavy lifter,” always ready to pitch in. Her husband, Jeff, her rock for 21 years, stands proudly by her side.
And then there’s Tracy Carbo—Michelle’s best friend and board member—who’s been there since day one. “She didn’t hesitate,” Michelle says. “She’s helped me build this from a dream into a reality.”
When asked about someone the Foundation has helped, Michelle tears up, recalling a woman who attended a recent community event. Isolated and misunderstood by her small support circle, this woman left feeling validated and seen.
“She told me, ‘I finally felt like I wasn’t alone,’” Michelle shares. “That’s exactly why we do this.”
Michelle dreams of doubling event attendance, expanding programming, and reaching even more families affected by Parkinson’s. Grants, sponsorships, and grassroots fundraising will fuel that growth.
Even a $25 per month donor—$300 a year—can make a difference: covering supplies for art therapy, opening new program sites closer to members’ homes, and ensuring that no participant ever has to pay out of pocket for care and community.
Michelle doesn’t refer to those she serves as clients. “They’re part of the Foundation Family,” she says. “And our volunteers? They’re ambassadors.”
As the Oxx Foundation continues to grow, one thing remains clear: this isn’t just about Parkinson’s. It’s about resilience. It’s about love. It’s about showing up for your neighbors, your family, and your community.
And it all started with one woman choosing to embrace the journey.
Website: www.theoxxfoundation.org
Email: info@theoxxfoundation.org
Phone: 201-320-9280
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
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