Holly Robinson Peete, who almost divorced her husband due to her son's autism, now helping families of Parkinson's and autism patients

Holly Robinson Peete has had to deal with the difficulty of looking after a Parkinson’s patient all her life. She knows all about the disease from her father’s illness, which lasted over twenty years and eventually took his life. Holly Robinson Peete, lost her father to Parkinson’s disease in 2002. The ordeal was what motivated and inspired her to help those in need with similar circumstances.

 Hollyrod foundation previously specialized only in Parkinson’s diseases. But after their son Rodney was diagnosed with Autism, they expanded to include autism to the foundation’s cause. When her son was diagnosed she did not know the first thing about autism. It was extremely difficult for her and her husband to come to terms with this incident and they lived in denial for a week.

The couples were devastated when the child was diagnosed “We went through this emotional connection, and we just cried in each other’s arms. We didn’t know what the hell this autism thing was. We were both in denial for a few weeks.”It almost consumed their marriage wholly. There were talks of divorce arising between the two.

After hard fought times in the beginning, the couple recuperated and strengthened ties between them. Instead of letting this incident swallow them. They grew in strength and are happier now. When it started both were individually derailed. However, with time, they began to work as a team and overcame the sadness and trauma.

Recently the couple co-hosted a charity auction event for the HollyRod foundation cause .The event was a star studded gala with many prominent names from Hollywood making an appearances.  Eva Longoria of “Desperate Housewives,” Amy Yasbeck of “Wings,” Alex Meneses of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Salli Richardson of “Eureka,” Dondre Whitfield of “Mistresses,” Charlotte Ross of “NYPD Blue,” TV personality Star Jones, “Real Housewife” Gretchen Rossi, boxer Laila Ali and celebrity hairstylist Chaz Dean were seated beside the runway.

All the proceeds from the event are going to the development of research for Parkinson’s and autism. There has, till date, been no cure for both the diseases. However, medical personnel are sure that with time and proper finance a breakthrough can be brought around this cause.

Holly has taken a break from acting to spend all of her time to the exposure of her foundation. She believes that if we all co –operate and work hand in hand miracles just might start to happen.

The Hollyrod foundation provides "medical, physical, and emotional support" to individuals living with Parkinson's disease as well as families of children with autism. Holly and her husband are currently working with Oprah Winfrey’s network on a reality show.”For Peete’s Sake featuring the family, all the collects from the show will be donated to the foundation’s cause.

Holly has just turned Fifty. Her height is 1.65meters (5ft4inches). She has a net worth of US$ 4 Million. She is active on Twitter and can be followed under the username @hollyrpeete. Her Instagram account also has the same username hollyrpeete.