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Bailey’s Message
As I reflect on a wonderful spring and summer, I feel immense gratitude for each of you who support our community at Parkinson Wellness Projects. Our small but mighty organization continues to grow—we welcome about 10 to 15 new participants each month, and this number keeps rising!
If you're a new community member at PWP, we’re thrilled to have you and hope you’re experiencing the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of our community. And to those who have been around the block a few times with us, I hope the programs leave you sweaty, invigorated, inspired, and with a smile on your face.
I appreciate all of you, and the dedication you show up with every day, especially when it takes monumental effort. You are making a positive difference in your life and in the lives of the people who love you—I hope you see this.
To all of our supporters, your participation helps us create a vibrant and encouraging environment. Thank you for being a part of our journey.
With gratitude,
Bailey Martin
Executive Director,
Parkinson Wellness Projects
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Finding Strength in Song
Alf’s Journey to Carnegie Hall
Alf Wiebe grew up singing in choirs, but career demands and relocations put his passion on hold. After retiring in 2014, he was determined to sing again, and PWP was proud to be part of his journey. Alf shared his story with us, and we’re excited to share it with you in his own words:
“In 2019, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after noticing a right-hand tremor. My wife and I were determined to learn about the condition and attended information sessions for the newly diagnosed. We gained some understanding of the progressive nature of the condition, and the wide array of potential impacts it could have on my future functioning.
Through these sessions, we were also directed to the Parkinson Wellness Projects (PWP) in Victoria. After I was assessed for their programs, I began attending various exercise programs.
It is hard to overstate the many benefits of PWP. I regularly participate in Rock-Steady Boxing and PWP fitness classes, my wife and I have also regularly attended their monthly support groups and benefited from their counselling services.
I learned that singing is therapeutic for Parkinson’s and was determined to keep my singing voice as long as possible. I was fortunate enough to gain access to Speech Language Pathologist Jasmine Cload through the Royal Jubilee Hospital and PWP.
In the summer of 2023, I told Jasmine that I’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime, to sing at Carnegie Hall with a Canadian Choir in spring 2024. Singing in that fabulous concert hall has long been considered the pinnacle of professional singers’ careers, and though I am far from being a professional, some friends in the Victoria Philharmonic Choir offered me the chance to participate. I had reservations about my ability to fully contribute, given the unknown progression of Parkinson’s disease. Would I still have a productive singing voice by spring 2024?
Jasmine and I made it our aim to meet that challenge through a concerted program of respiratory exercises and vocal strength training. I am very happy and proud to say that, thanks to Jasmine’s help in tackling a potential Parkinson’s impediment before it had really become a problem, I did go to New York in March 2024, and did contribute fully to the choir’s performance at Carnegie Hall!
The icing on this story is that my wife and I invited our daughters and their partners to join us in the Big Apple for a whole week of family time. We attended shows and experienced all that marvellous city has to offer. And our girls heard their dad sing at Carnegie Hall, an experience of a lifetime!
"Thank you Parkinson Wellness Projects, and Jasmine!"
—Alf Wiebe
Parkinson Wellness Projects is immensely proud to support individuals like Alf through programs that slow Parkinson’s progression. Our goal is to help people live the life they love—whether it’s singing at Carnegie Hall or cherishing everyday moments with loved ones.
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The Douglas Mile was a Triumph
Celebrating Community and Support
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The Douglas Mile event was a fantastic success, raising $41,000 for Parkinson Wellness Projects, surpassing our $25,000 goal! This one-mile race, which kicks off the Victoria Day parade, saw around 130 participants, including those with Parkinson’s disease, their families, friends, care partners, and even furry friends. It was a wonderful sunny morning, celebrating awareness and community support for Parkinson’s disease! Thank you to everyone who participated, including our sponsors: Lug, Burkett Asset Management, Country Grocer, Ross Place, and Fairway Market.
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New Programs to Support
People with Parkinson’s Living Well
Here are some exciting classes that took place over the summer and fall, offering meaningful opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners to engage, learn, and connect.
FFM Outdoor Training is led by physiotherapist Naomi Casiro and teaches participants how to exercise outdoors. This class focuses on guiding participants through high-intensity workouts, helping them recognise what "high intensity" feels like for them. Participants enjoy fun activities while being encouraged to bring care partners and tools such as walking poles for added support.
Drawing Outside the Lines is facilitated by artist Ken Campbell, a professional artist living with Parkinson’s. The course offers an engaging introduction to art for those with Parkinson’s, and focuses on the basic skills of representational drawing. It aims at enhancing mood, cognitive function, and creativity, providing a joyful outlet for expression.
Mindful Self-Compassion, led by psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr. Jessica Moretti, and Dr. Franchi of PWP, is a nine-week training program designed to support care partners. By teaching how to manage fatigue and difficult emotions, this program helps care partners prevent burnout and maintain their health while supporting loved ones.
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Cycling for a Cause
Spinning Wheels Relay Raises Support
Beginning July 27, 2024, three cycling teams embarked on a 60-day, 10,000-kilometre journey across Canada to raise funds and awareness for Canadians living with Parkinson’s disease. A portion of the funds raised in each province will go towards local charities, including PWP. Each team included at least one person living with Parkinson’s, with PWP Board Member and participant Andy Robinson joining part of the ride to represent our community.
We kicked off the journey with a special send-off right in our parking lot in Victoria.
To our sponsors, Tim Hortons and Country Grocer—thank you for being such wonderful partners in our mission. Your contributions made the day truly special and helped us kick off this incredible journey.
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