The rain may have postponed the American Parkinson Disease Association Rhode Island's 2026 Optimism Walk & 5K Fun Run, but it did not stop organizers from moving forward with a new date, a new musical act and another opportunity for the community to come together.
As previously reported in Warwick Patch, the event was forced to reschedule after the original date was rained out by a Nor'easter. The Optimism Walk and 5K will now take place Saturday, October 3, at Warwick City Park, where participants will gather to support Parkinson's awareness, research and the local Parkinson's community.
The postponement also led organizers to connect with Rose Gold Glasses, a folk rock duo featuring Melissa Staiti and Jesse Coutu, who will perform during the event's pre-event activities.
The duo brings together acoustic guitar, organ, rich harmonies and a full-band sound, performing a mix of familiar favorites and original music. Their music is available on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms.
For Staiti, the performance carries a particularly personal meaning.
Staiti is living with Parkinson's disease and underwent Deep Brain Stimulation, or DBS, surgery this past June. Music has been an important part of both Staiti and Coutu's journey through neurological illness and recovery.
Those experiences are also helping inspire a new music and storytelling program the duo is developing around resilience, hope and life after a life-changing diagnosis.
That makes their appearance at the APDA event more than simply a musical performance. It brings together two parts of Staiti's life: her experience living with Parkinson's and her connection to music.
Rose Gold Glasses said they are thrilled to be part of this year's Optimism Walk and to celebrate alongside a community with such a personal connection to their own story.
For an event that was forced to change plans because of the weather, the rescheduled walk now comes with an unexpected addition: a musical performance from artists who understand firsthand why the Parkinson's community continues to walk, support one another and look toward the future.
The 2026 APDA Rhode Island Optimism Walk & 5K Fun Run for Parkinson's will take place Saturday, October 3, at Warwick City Park.
Registration is available through the APDA Rhode Island event page for those who would like to participate or support the event.
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