Michelle Haub has always felt a deep calling to help others. Now, as the Special Programs Director at Meadowlark Hills, she devotes her time to assisting those affected by Parkinson’s disease and memory-related illnesses. Her work touches countless lives daily.
Haub’s journey into helping others began with her studies in speech and language pathology at Fort Hays State University, where she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for working with individuals with Parkinson’s.
“I attended a specialized training called the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, LOUD, which focuses on people with Parkinson’s,” Haub said. “I instantly fell in love with the idea of empowering people who face a degenerative neurological disease.”
The progressive nature of Parkinson’s is precisely what drew Haub to this field. She found motivation in the challenge of giving back something to those who feel their abilities are slowly being taken away.
“Parkinson’s patients are often told that they won’t get better, that things will only decline,” Haub explained. “But with voice therapy, we can give them power again. They have a voice, and they can improve.”
Haub’s work goes beyond speech therapy. As the leader of the Parkinson’s Core Team and the Memory Program Core Team at Meadowlark Hills, she also manages the Parkinson’s Lending Library and organizes events and education programs such as Pig Out for Parkinson’s and the Speedy P.D. Race for Parkinson’s.
“Michelle is always working,” said Sarah Duggan, Meadowlark’s Community Relations Director. “It’s not unusual for her to be preparing for classes or fundraisers on weekends or evenings. She’s dedicated.”
Duggan has worked alongside Haub for over a decade and has witnessed her impact firsthand. “She’s inspiring,” Duggan said. “Watching her make a difference in so many lives is incredibly touching.”
One of those lives is David Stevenson’s. Diagnosed with Early-Onset Parkinson’s, Stevenson initially felt that the Meadowlark Hills programs didn’t fit his lifestyle as a working man still providing for his family. Most of the other participants were retired. Haub responded by creating a dedicated Early-Onset Parkinson’s group, which has since flourished.
At the Speedy PD Race for Parkinson’s, Stevenson spoke about how the group and Meadowlark’s programs have transformed his life. “All the programs are free for people with Parkinson’s,” he said. “And events like this make that possible.”
Stevenson added that he wouldn’t be doing as well as he is today without Haub and the support from Meadowlark Hills, calling the Early-Onset group “life-changing.”
Jan Vanderbilt, whose husband battles Parkinson’s while they both reside at Meadowlark Hills, praised Haub for her personal touch. “She treats everyone like family,” Vanderbilt said. “She knows everyone by name, even our grandkids. She’s been a tremendous support for all of us.”
Haub’s dedication to her work stems from her desire to give hope to those living with Parkinson’s, and her mission extends beyond the walls of Meadowlark Hills. She hopes to spread this hope throughout Northeast Kansas and beyond.
“People are living with Parkinson’s everywhere,” Haub said. “Not everyone has the support we have here in Manhattan and at Meadowlark, so it’s our job to share that support with others.”
Until then, Haub will continue to make a positive impact on the Parkinson’s community, one patient at a time.
“If I can help just one person with Parkinson’s succeed, how many more lives will that person touch?” Haub reflected. “That’s what truly makes a difference.”
