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PWP Challengers Show Our Spirit!
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We’re coming into our final week of Race the Moon, and we’ve had a wonderful time getting out, enjoying the fresh air, and pitting ourselves against the Moon. While we haven’t caught up, PWP has covered a combined 1,832 miles already, enough to cross from Victoria, BC to Sault Ste. Marie, ON! While COVID restrictions prevented us from racing alongside each other directly, we have been united by our goals and our efforts, demonstrated our passion to Parkinson’s charities around the world, and have already raised over $15,000 for our programs across the Greater Victoria area.
Race the Moon has united established PWP participants with newcomers and friends. Here are a few of their stories:
Nick Martin: I'm 72, and was diagnosed in November of 2019, though the neurologist in Winnipeg figured I'd had PD for much longer. We moved here in mid-May last year, from Winnipeg, where I retired in June of 2018 after 47 years as a newspaper reporter --- some of you may be old enough to remember newspapers --- and my wife in 2019 as a professor of social work at the University of Manitoba.
We had been making new friends here before the restrictions; between us, we also have half a dozen other couples and individuals we know who retired here. I review mystery books for The Winnipeg Free Press, and have begun writing pieces for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on education policy in Manitoba.
I'm taking part in Race the Moon because I wanted to get to know more people in the PD community, and maintain or even increase my activity. We've been walking with Brian Wood's group between restrictions. Neurologists in Winnipeg and Victoria, my former GP, and several doctors we know all told me that the combination of meds and exercise were my best bets for slowing down the progress of PD.
Dave Douglas: I am taking part in Race the Moon to support PWP, which has through its exercise programs and other programs and services contributed to a much healthier lifestyle for me.
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Sandra Tourigny: I chose to participate in the Race to the Moon because I feel so strongly about Victoria having a centre for People with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological disease and there are a lot of people in Victoria with Parkinson’s who could benefit from the wonderful programs this centre offers. Just meeting others on this journey is therapeutic.
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I was diagnosed 13 years ago and have seen how important exercise and socializing is. Exercise has always been a big part of my life and by joining the Race to the Moon I am pushing it up a notch! No excuses!!! I no longer bike outside but have a spin bike that I love and use several days a week. Every day I do something physical, whether it is a brisk walk, a gentle hike or a spin class. I really enjoy our dance classes and fitness classes on zoom, from our centre, and can’t wait for the end of restrictions so we can be doing these classes in person and sit in the “living room”, drinking coffee, chatting, laughing and supporting one another, after class.
Andy Robinson: I am participating for three reasons. First, I believe strongly in PWP and its potential to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease. With the staff, instructors and Board that we have I think we are well on the road to becoming a world class organization for helping the Parkinson’s community.
Second, I am not a natural fund raiser and I like the idea of committing to achieving a physical activity goal as part of my appeal for funds. And I must say the response has been more positive than I expected.
Third, my commitment to riding 400 km as a contribution to Racing the Moon will jump-start my cycling fitness, so that hopefully I can participate in some longer rides in the Summer.
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If you would like to support our intrepid riders, you can visit our page at https://parkinsonwellnessproject.org/race-the-moon, follow our progress, and choose a team to sponsor! We'll keep you posted with the final results of our race next week.
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Thank you to the Rotary Club of Victoria-Harbourside!
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As PWP continues to grow, we look to our community for support, and the Rotary Club of Victoria-Harbourside has answered the call! As part of our expansion at our community centre, which will help us provide additional classes and work with Naomi Casiro on specialized Parkinson’s-based physiotherapy, we needed to adjust the space that we acquired to match our high safety standards and needs.
The Rotary Club of Victoria-Harbourside has generously provided funding that allows us to fully refit our second space, allowing us to provide a wider range of services and offer specialized programs, such as controlled fall workshops and more intensive motion classes. With their support, we are delighted to announce that work on the new space has already begun, and we look forward to sharing more about this space as we move into the summer.
Thank you, Rotary Club of Victoria-Harbourside! We’re glad to have you as a part of the PWP community.
Below: Our new space, with work just beginning!
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It's Family Caregiver Awareness Month
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May is Family Caregiver Month, an opportunity to join communities across Canada in recognizing the vital role that caregivers play in the well-being of so many of us. Parkinson Wellness Projects is devoted to supporting and uplifting not only people with Parkinson's, but their caregivers and helpers as well.
The Province of B.C. has officially recognized the role that caregivers play by naming May Family Caregiver Awareness Month. For more information, please visit the Family Caregivers of British Columbia, and learn about the critical role that caregivers play, and how you can offer your support.
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Parkinson's In The News:
You thought we were covering ground? Dan Schoenthal, diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015, has begun a 2,200 mile journey to hike the entirety of the Appalachian trail.
Read about his journey at https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/14/us/parkinsons-disease-appalachian-trail-trnd
Having trouble sleeping? You’re not alone. A recent study has discovered that men who sleepwalk and suffer from REM (rapid-eye movement) disorders while sleeping are four times as likely to develop Parkinson’s as those who don’t.
Read more about this discovery at https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2021/04/28/sleepwalkers-greater-risk-parkinsons-men-sleep-disorder/
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The Victoria PD Support Group is open for new or returning members. This support group meets on the SECOND Tuesday of each month from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Our first meeting with be Tuesday, May 11th.
If interested, contact donorsupport@parkinsonwellnessproject.org or call our office at (250) 360-6800.
“The Benefits of PD-Specialized Physiotherapy” facilitated by Melissa Hadfield & Jacqui Van Alstyne of Neuromotion Physiotherapy. Join us on Friday, May 7, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm for a conversation on the benefits of regular group fitness combined with Parkinson’s specialized therapy sessions.
Jacqui and Melissa will present the latest research showing the benefits of combining individualized rehabilitation with community-centered exercise as a long-term treatment plan. They will discuss the impact of these one-on-one sessions on retraining functional mobility, as well as the evidence-based exercise principles PD-Specialized Therapists would include in your program.
Please contact donorsupport@parkinsonwellnessproject.org to register for this workshop.
“Introduction to Pole Walking” with Bailey Martin, CAT(C), CSEP-CEP. Join us Monday, May 17, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm for an information session to introduce you to pole walking and discuss the benefits for people with Parkinson's disease. Bailey will explain how to correctly size your walking poles, the different walking techniques, and how to incorporate walking poles into your daily exercise routine. You do not need walking poles to observe this seminar.
Please contact donorsupport@parkinsonwellnessproject.org to register for this workshop.
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Dance for PD® offers internationally-acclaimed dance classes for people with Parkinson’s disease. Participants are empowered to explore movement and music in ways that are refreshing, enjoyable, stimulating and creative.
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For more Parkinson's resources, visit our Resource page on our website. If you have a resource you would like to add, please let us know!
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