This was a qualitative nature, developed with the objective of understanding the impact of a Parkinson's diagnosis on the individual and the family. Data were collected between October and December 2007, from 20 individuals residing in Maringá, PR - 10 Parkinson's patients and their closest family member - using semi-structured interviews. From the analysis of the data, two themes emerged: 'Coming to terms as a Parkinson's patient: a long path' and 'Difficulties and feeling after the diagnosis', which reveal that the lack of knowledge on the disease is widespread among the general population and that the quality of the first contact with the diagnosis is crucial in the determination and attitude of individuals toward the illness.