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The Passion to Persist Film Tour!
The Passion to Persist—the Hadley Ferguson Story
"When life tests the body, the soul creates its masterpiece."
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A renowned artist’s inspiring journey of battling Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy, using creativity and resilience to defy the odds and continue her extraordinary work.
We kindly ask that you RSVP with a donation to reserve your spot for this special event. Your contribution supports Summit for Parkinson’s. Thank you!
Missoula Guests: Your receipt can serve as your ticket. Please bring a printed or digital version to the event.
​Join us in Missoula for the first showing of The Passion to Persist, a powerful documentary about Hadley Ferguson, an extraordinary artist battling Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy. In conjunction with the film premiere, we invite you to experience Hadley’s stunning new artwork at her art show at Radius Gallery, followed by an inspiring evening at the Wilma Theatre.
This special premiere will include a silent auction of Hadley’s latest painting and limited-edition prints. Subsequent showings in several U.S. cities will also offer prints for sale.
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Event Details - Missoula, Oct 17:
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Art Show Opening at Radius Gallery: 4-6 pm
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Silent auction of Hadley’s cover art painting to benefit Summit for Parkinson’s
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A portion of the entire show will be donated back to Summit for Parkinson’s
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Film Premiere Event at the Wilma Theatre, Missoula:
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VIP doors open: 5:40 pm (includes pre-show drink and meet & greet with cast and contributors)
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General admission doors open: 6:40 pm
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Film: 7 pm
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Limited prints for sale
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Signed and unsigned books for sale of “An Alert, Well-Hydrated Artist in no Acute Distress” by Catherine Armsden
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RSVP Options
$100 Donation: VIP Experience (6 pm / Doors: 5:40 pm)
- Early theater access
- Pre-show drink
- Meet cast members and project contributors
$25 Donation: General Admission (Film: 7 pm / Doors: 6:40 pm)
​Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of art, film, and community, all in support of a great cause.
The Passion to Persist Tour Schedule
About The Passion to Persist
The Passion to Persist is a compelling documentary that chronicles the life of Hadley Ferguson, a renowned artist whose work includes two remarkable murals at the Montana State Capitol. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2010 and later with Multiple System Atrophy, Hadley begins each day with immense physical effort—taking up to 40 minutes just to get out of bed. Despite this and other daunting health challenges, Hadley remains an unstoppable force of creativity and advocacy.
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Her story is one of perseverance, not just through her art but through the powerful community she has built. In response to her diagnosis, Hadley founded Summit for Parkinson’s, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Montanans living with the disease. Her enduring spirit and creativity are also reflected in her profound friendship with Catherine Armsden, a fellow artist and Parkinson’s patient, who has written a book about their shared journey.
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This film celebrates Hadley’s artistic achievements and explores the resilience of the human spirit. Through intimate interviews and touching scenes, The Passion to Persist offers an inspiring look at the power of art, friendship, and determination in the face of life’s greatest challenges. Join us in celebrating Hadley’s incredible journey and witness how passion and persistence can triumph over adversity.
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Project Team
Our talented creative team brings deep expertise and a personal connection to the Parkinson’s and movement disorders community.
Hadley Ferguson – Project Co-creator
Hadley Ferguson, a Missoula-based artist. Despite her health challenges, she continues to advocate for others living with movement disorders as the founder of Summit for Parkinson’s and as a member of the Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council.
Catherine Armsden – Project Co-creator
Catherine Armsden is an author and retired architect whose first novel, Dream House, was published in 2015. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009, she wrote a book about her friendship with Hadley, titled An Alert Well-Hydrated Artist in No Acute Distress.
Dave Iverson – Director/Writer
Dave Iverson, a retired broadcast journalist and PBS filmmaker, has created two films on Parkinson’s. Dave was diagnosed with the disease in 2004 and is a founding member of the Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council.
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Damon Ristau – Co-Director/Photographer/Editor
Damon Ristau, owner of FilmWest in Missoula, MT, has directed internationally acclaimed films, including The Bus and The Bug. He co-founded the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and has a personal connection to Parkinson’s through his father.
Hadley Ferguson
Get the Book!
An Alert, Well-Hydrated Artist in No Acute Distress
by Catherine Armsden
Two Artists, a Singular Friendship, and a Six-State Quest for a Diagnosis
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Signed and unsigned books will be available at all showings of The Passion to Persist.
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Hadley Ferguson and Catherine Armsden, a painter and a writer, have each spent years seeking a diagnosis for their troubling symptoms. When they are finally diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, they meet in an online support group and quickly become long-distance friends. But for Hadley, the shared diagnosis is still not correct. She embarks on a traumatic, six-state odyssey that Catherine documents in vivid detail.
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Part critical commentary on the American healthcare system and part primer on Parkinson's disease, An Alert, Well-Hydrated Artist in No Acute Distress tackles many topics beyond Hadley's and Catherine's personal experience, such as the causes and treatment of Parkinson's; navigating the doctor-patient relationship; so-called cognitive errors made in diagnosis; and the role of empathy in healthcare. This moving memoir will resonate with anyone who's had difficulty getting a diagnosis or lives with chronic disease, but will also inspire all readers with Hadley's and Catherine's ultimately victorious parallel quests to achieve the most fulfilling creative work of their careers.
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"Catherine Armsden's wonderfully insightful book should be read by anyone who's ever received a difficult diagnosis as well as anyone who's delivered one. ... The book is dedicated to those who don't look away, and An Alert, Well-Hydrated Artist in No Acute Distress never does."
-Dave Iverson, journalist and author of Winter Stars: An Elderly Mother, an Aging Son and Life's Final Journey