SARASOTA – “To see someone in their most vulnerable state and to go very, very deep with them the first time you meet them, there’s no way this isn’t going to bond you forever,” said ‘Inside PJ’s Brain’ Reporter and Producer, Hallie Peilet.
It has been nearly three years, since Patrick ‘PJ’ Delaney and his family opened up to former SNN reporter and evening anchor, Hallie Peilet on PJ’s 2003 Parkinson’s diagnosis and journey fighting the disease.
“Once we started talking about it, I think it was really cathartic to all of them to kind of reflect on where their dad has come compared to the person he used to be,” said Peilet.
“My dad was a different guy before he was diagnosed,” said PJ’s daughter, Katie Wilkins.
“Super funny, he has a great sense of humor.” said PJ’s daughter, Erin Delaney.
“He was very much the center of attention, the life of the party,” said PJ’s son, Brendan Delaney.
Beyond his kids, PJ’s Parkinson’s diagnosis had a profound affect on his partner, Diane.
“It’s not just the person with Parkinson’s going through something, it’s the entire family and the caregiver, and for Diane, taking care of PJ really became a full time job, because she loved him, unconditionally,” said Peilet.
“He’s my hero, I don’t know if I could get up every day and endure what he does,” said PJ’s partner, Diane Green.
As a medical reporter, Hallie was already knowledgeable on Parkinson’s Disease. She says a look into DBS surgery and into PJ’s brain was a game changer.
“For him to be so vulnerable with me, to let me in the operating room while he’s awake during this surgery and make sure he’s moving his hands right and his feet right and making sure the electrode is placed in the right place for his DBS system,” said Peilet.
The six part series won Hallie a Telly award in 2020, and she even got one for PJ.
“The whole thing was just really surreal, I’ll never forget it, and it’s one of the things I’m most grateful for in my TV career,” said Peilet.
Hallie says the bond made with PJ and his family is something she will cherish for life.
“It was a story that turned into a forever friendship, and I am so grateful for it, because those two are just the salt of the earth,” said Peilet.
Hallie’s six part series, ‘Inside PJ’s Brain’ is available to watch on SNN’s YouTube Page here.