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How Alf Went From Avid Cycler to Advocate
In the spring of 2007, I was walking with my wife Patty when she noticed that I was not swinging my left arm. At the time I didn’t pay much attention as I was healing from shoulder surgery. In the days that followed, several other “symptoms” started showing themselves. Soon, I was determined to look deeper.
My family doctor ran some tests, expecting the outcome to be M.S. With that ruled out, she suggested Parkinson’s disease. Like most people, I knew little about it, other than it made you shake. However, I did have an uncle who had it and he seemed to be doing okay.
In June of that year I retired after over 30 years as a home-delivery milkman. The symptoms were beginning to pull me down, and I was in need of some education about Parkinson’s. So, I turned to the internet for some answers. My early help came from a local agency known as Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre (VEPC). The organization was of tremendous help to me.
Soon I was co-leading a support group for newly diagnosed patients. After some time, VEPC became Headway, still offering the same loving care. In 2019, Headway merged with PWP, now offering numerous classes and programs.
I have spent much time and energy in recent years, raising funds for PWP. My means has been through cycling. I have been an avid cycler for many years and am always looking for new opportunities to help others who are challenged with PD.
I am honoured to be involved with PWP. The workers are always kind, compassionate and caring. I am very blessed to be working “hand in hand” and “side by side” with those at PWP and will continue to do all that I am able, in order to better the lives of those living with PD.
—Alf Todd
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Hello fellow Parkinson’s family,
My name is Dave Douglas and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in September 2018—the day after my 75th birthday. The neurologist suggested that I had most likely begun my journey with Parkinson's at least 5 years prior to the diagnosis. Tremors in my hand, problems with speech and drooling were key indicators of Parkinson’s.
When asked what I could do to mitigate or curtail the advancement of the disease, the neurologist said two things were critical: EXERCISE and REST. I agree wholeheartedly.
I began classes at Parkinson Wellness Project in October 2018. It has made a big difference in my life, improving my balance, building my core strength, and giving me much more energy and mental acuity. Another positive side benefit has been socializing with others in our PD community.
One way to ensure future support and funding for PWP is through a legacy gift. That’s why former board member Maureen Duncan, another former staff member and myself developed the PWP Tulip Circle Legacy Program in the spring of 2022.
Legacy gifts are an investment in long-term funding, creating interest revenue that will continue to provide sustainable programming for our PWP community! If you’re interested, a good time to consider legacy giving is when you are reviewing your will. Feel free to talk this over with your family and let us know if you’d like to be enrolled in the program.
I hope you’ll consider participating in this important program. If you’d like to receive a copy of the legacy brochure to learn more, please contact the office at 250-360-6800 or To register please contact PWP at 250-360-6800 or email us at info@parkinsonwellness.ca.
—Dave Douglas, PWP Participant & Legacy Program Founder
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Mark Your Calendars for an Exciting Spring!
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What: The Greater Victoria Police Chorus
When: Sunday, March 19, 2023
Details: The choir is putting on a concert at the Lambrick Church and all funds are going directly to PWP!
What: Parkinson’s Awareness Month
When: April, 2023
Details: This is such an important month for PWP, and we hope to get the community involved. Please stay tuned for more communications to come!
What: The Douglas Mile
When: Monday, May 22, 2023
Details: The Douglas Mile is a race that kicks off the Victoria Day parade, so the streets are lined with thousands of people who are there to watch. With PWP as the charity of choice for the race, this will be our main fundraising event of the year! The route will go from Douglas and Summit to City Hall—and anyone can sign up to take part. We hope you’ll join us, so we have a large group from PWP who can walk together!
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A Message From Bailey
I know we’re well into February, but I wanted to take a moment to say Happy (belated) New Year! Looking back on 2022, it was quite the year for everyone in our community—and my first as Executive Director of PWP. For every challenge there was a victory, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve been able to accomplish together in the last year!
Words can’t describe how much gratitude I have for each and every one of you. With your support, we’ve been able to grow our community to reach more people, both online and in-person. Plus we expanded parts of our programming! These things are truly making all the difference for people navigating Parkinson’s.
In the months ahead, we have some really fun and exciting events on the calendar for spring. For the second year running, PWP has been chosen to kick off the Victoria Day parade with the Douglas Mile. Last year’s event was incredible. Even though it was our first shot as the charity of choice, and we were able to raise an amazing $20,000!
This spring, April brings Parkinson’s Awareness Month. It’s a crucial time, a moment when people stop and pay attention to the disease. We can’t wait to work with you to spread awareness and fundraise so we can help more people in need of care. Hopefully, this means reaching individuals online who are not local to Victoria and continuing to improve the programs we offer.
Thank you for walking this journey alongside me. I’m so grateful to be a part of this wonderful community, and I can’t wait to see what we do together in 2023!
Gratefully,
Bailey Martin
Executive Director, Parkinson Wellness Projects
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