Jane was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in spring 2001. During the last few months leading up to her treatment in 2007, Jane experienced an increase in the rate of deterioration in her condition.

Jane suffered from stiffness and rigidity in her legs, hands, neck and back, especially on the right side of her body. Her movements were very slow and she had difficulties with completing any task involving heightened dexterity. Her legs and hands would freeze in the middle of the movement. Her muscles were weak and she would tire very quickly.

She could walk in a straight line, but had to take slow and small steps in order to turn. It was very difficult for her to turn in small spaces. She had to think about every movement before performing them.

Before the stem cell treatment, Jane could not turn over in bed. She would sleep only on her back. She also suffered from painful and frequent cramps in her legs and got very poor sleep at night. She could not move her right leg while lying in bed and needed help to get out of bed or out of a chair.

Jane also could not turn her neck and had to turn her whole upper body in order to look to the side. She needed help dressing, fastening, buttoning, toweling, and taking her shoes on and off. Jane could not stretch her shirt down; she could not comb or wash her hair and could not cut a steak by herself.

Jane's speech was increasingly slow. She had difficulties grasping small things like taking small coins out of her purse or opening a bottle or a can.  For the last two years, she also could not write.

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