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July 18, 2025
MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. - In the agency's most recent 'I Am a Veteran' story, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) has highlighted Nate Jolliff, a U.S. Marine Corps scout sniper diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The 'I Am a Veteran' campaign aims to motivate veterans to identify, tell their stories and get connected to the benefits they earned for their service.
Nate Jolliff proudly served active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps as a rifleman, guard duty and scout sniper from 1984 to 1988. Years later, Jolliff would be given a life-changing diagnosis as a result from his military service. In 2021, Jolliff was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease -- a neurodegenerative disease that directly impacts the central nervous system, causing involuntary movements such as muscle stiffness, tremors, impaired motor skills and postural instability.
Jolliff was not aware that the diagnosis was connected to his military service until he noticed television commercials warning about the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Decades after this service, Jolliff connected with the VA and was categorized as 100% permanently disabled.
He persevered through the diagnosis by consistently exercising, becoming a board member at the Michigan Parkinson Foundation and getting involved with his local Marine Corps League.
"Many veterans living with Parkinson's, like myself, look to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation to help them get better or at least make the journey manageable," said Jolliff. "It's almost therapy for me to talk with individuals facing similar challenges.";
Despite the life-changing diagnosis, Jolliff holds no regrets regarding his military service and finds joy in giving back to his community.
Read Nate Jolliff's full story.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency - The MVAA is the central coordinating agency, providing support, care, advocacy and service to veterans and their families. As a state agency, MVAA works to identify and break down barriers veterans face in employment, education, health care and quality of life, to make Michigan a great place for veterans and their families to call home. More information about MVAA is available at Michigan.gov/MVAA or by reading our FY24 Annual Report.