A Flyer’s fight

When life handed Mike Mooney ’93 a diagnosis that could have stopped him in his tracks, he found something else instead — purpose. Hardship turned into determination as he turned his ambition into Brainstorm, a virtual reality-based project that he hopes will change the future of treatment for neurological disorders.

In 2020, Mooney was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a journey that started 10 years prior when he felt something wasn’t right. Doctors were unable to determine what was wrong with him, and the unknown was a common enemy. 

“It was scary as hell,” Mooney said. 

Finally, after years of misdiagnosis and symptoms persisting, he was formally diagnosed. 

“It was good to know, but awful on the other hand,” Mooney said. “You don’t know what the future holds.” 

Instead of letting the diagnosis take control of his life, Mooney found a way to transform it. He got in better shape, ate better and started exercising more. As a longtime basketball referee, he was able to officiate for a few more seasons as well. 

It was through his resilience and determination that his sister, Jamie Mooney Melton ’92, started fundraising for what she called Mike Madness, derived from Mooney’s love of basketball. It was clear to see how people began to rally support around him, including several from his Flyer family. The support he received from the UD community meant more to him than he had anticipated because of his own UD experience.. 

Melton attended UD, where Mooney would often visit her. It was an easy decision to become a Flyer, too, he said — a decision he was really glad he made after meeting his wife, Marcy Seager Mooney ’92, on campus. 

Besides meeting the love of his life, Mooney quickly found another love as a UD student — Dayton Flyer basketball.

“Basketball was a big part of my life,” Mooney expressed, “I grew up playing on a team my dad coached, and then I followed the Dayton Men’s basketball team.” 

During his Parkinson’s battle, the team was a big source of comfort for Mooney. 

“I love it, are you kidding me? I keep in touch with the fellas, a couple of guys I graduated with, to watch and talk about the games,” he said. Finding enjoyment in simple pleasures like basketball games kept him going, he said. But eventually, he wanted to find a way to bring that to others struggling like he was. 

That’s when Mooney started developing Brainstorm. 

Working with a couple of engineering firms in the development process, Brainstorm ultimately turned into a tool that combines brain stimulation and virtual reality, sequencing patterns to fingertips which align with sensory function. This helps to balance the patterns in someone’s brain so they aren’t overwhelmed all at once. Currently, Mooney is working to develop a prototype, and, if it is a success, it will help thousands of people. 

“The key target is Parkinson’s, but it will also help people with other related conditions like OCD and tremors. It’s kind of a wild dream, but that’s the dream,” he said.

But the project isn’t just about the science involved, but the people, he said.

“It’s amazing how many people want to help, and it’s crazy to see how many people need help too.” 

And as Brainstorm moves closer to testing and further development, Mooney said he always tries to look back and see how far he’s come. From the streets of the student neighborhood at UD to a near medical breakthrough, Mooney’s journey embodies what it means to lead with heart, to advocate for others, and to trump adversity with hope. 

Learn more about Brainstorm here: thebrainstormstudios.com

Photos courtesy of the Mooney family.