Tag: Parkinson’s

Pedaling for Parkinson’s in Prince Edward County: Join us next year?
charity · cycling · family · illness

Pedaling for Parkinson’s in Prince Edward County: Join us next year?

Sam B1 Comment

Parkinson’s Canada hosted “Pedal for Parkinson’s Prince Edward County” this past Saturday, a charity bike ride features a 40-km and 75-km option, starting and finishing at the North Marysburgh Town Hall.

Our team was called Susan’s Spinners– Sarah, Sarah’s Zwift ZSUN teammate Emily, and me. In the photo above we’re joined by Susan, a family member and occasional blogger at Fit is a Feminist Issue, who is also a cyclist and who has Parkinson’s.

Here’s a few words from the participants:

Susan

This year attending the Pedalling for Parkinson’s event in PEC was somewht bittersweet. I haven’t been on my bike for the past month due to a recent back injury, so didn’t want to chance riding.

I also missed my original team, the Rigid Riders (people with PD and their friends) as most were attending events supporting team captains Mike and Steve as they ride across Canada raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s (https://spinningwheelstour.ca/)

What made it a wonderful day though was that two members of my extended family, Samantha and Sarah, and Emily, a friend of theirs who I didn’t know, came together on short notice to form a team, Spinning for Susan, to bike and raise funds to support me and Parkinson Canada.

Recently I’ve thought the most important message a person with PD can hear is that they are not alone. I not only felt that profoundly but am happy that my team raised funds for Parkinson Canada to spread that message and to continue to support people with PD across the country.

Sam

It felt odd to be doing another charity bike ride so soon after the Friends for Life Bike Rally, but this is an important cause for our family. Susan and I have known each as friends since Grade 9 home economics and we’ve been family since I married her brother many years ago. I joke that Susan and I were friends first, back when he was the annoying older brother.

So Susan’s Parkinson’s diagnosis has hit the whole family. She’s been riding with a Parkinson’s group and in past years has ridden this charity ride. When it turned out that we could have the use of Sarah’s family farm in Prince Edward County that weekend, it all started to come together. Sarah and I would ride and Susan would come along for support and inspiration. She’s also a very generous donor to Parkinson’s research, giving enough so that Sarah and I both got jerseys! When Sarah’s teammate Emily, who lives in the county, agreed to come along, we had a happy trio of riders. I’m struggling a bit with speed these days so I was happy to have a chatty, scenic social ride for a very excellent and important cause.

Emily

I didn’t even know the event was taking place until 48 hours ahead of time when Sarah invited me to join in. Since I’m training for a 150km ride in September, and live in the neighbourhood, it sounded like a great opportunity to find some company for a long ride.


As I signed up online felt a pang of guilt, however. They were asking for a minimum fundraising commitment of $250. The ride was in just over 24 hours… “Nothing to lose,’ I thought, and made my own donation to get the ball rolling. Four of my friends and relatives jumped at the chance to donate. In less than 24 hours I was above the threshold. Guilt assuaged.


So happy that I went. I not only managed to raise a little for a really good cause, I got to meet the wonderful Susan, for whom we rode, and had a lovely social ride as a bonus.
I will definitely be back next year!

Sarah

Like Sam I found it seemed strange to be doing another fundraising cycling event so soon after the Bike Rally, but I knew I really wanted to ride in support of my family who are living with Parkinson’s Disease, including Susan and my uncle Jack. I also had two grandparents with PD, so I’ve been able to see the results of all of the groundbreaking research, much of it being done here in Canada, that’s making a big difference in the everyday lives of over 100,000 Canadians with PD. In a generation there have not only been huge leaps in treatment but also understanding this progressive neurological disease, and the important role exercise plays in mediating symptoms. It was amazing to ride with folks who told us how movement, especially on a bike, is medicine for them.

The ride itself was super well organized and had lots of support from the Prince Edward County community, from the local radio station to the Lions cooking us lunch. I will never cease to be amazed at the number of cycling-friendly roads all over the County, even if some of them are a little rough.

All in all, a great day on the bike for a great cause!

Sarah and Sam listening to the pre ride instructions

Join us next year! It would be great to have a larger team and make it a social weekend in Prince Edward County.

Pedaling for Parkinson’s in Prince Edward County
charity · cycling · fitness

Pedaling for Parkinson’s in Prince Edward County

Sam B1 Comment

Sarah and I got home from the bike rally Sunday night and have both had a very busy work week. So you’ll never guess what we’re doing Saturday? Another charity bike ride!

The timing isn’t great but it’s an important cause and one that matters to my family. It’s Pedaling for Parkinson’s in Prince Edward County.

“Welcome to the Pedaling for Parkinson’s Prince Edward County
The 2022 ride will take place on August 19th & 20th, 2022. The Pedaling for Parkinson’s (P4P) Prince Edward County ride is intended to be an inclusive, family-friendly event. The North Marysburgh Town Hall, located at 2699 County Road 8 in Waupoos, will be the start/finish area for both routes, which include a 40km and 75km option.

Early check-in will take place at Barley Days Brewery (13730 Loyalist Pkwy) from 5:00-6:30 pm. This is an opportunity for you to drop off your donations, pick up your rider bib, tech t-shirt ($250+ in fundraising), and jersey ($1,000+ in fundraising), and grab a printed copy of the route map.

The P4P social gathering will take place at Barley Days Brewery immediately following early check-in. Enjoy some complimentary snacks, grab a refreshment(alcoholic beverages for purchase), and meet your fellow riders. We’ll have an informal ceremony, and lots of time to play lawn games! “

You can sponsor me here and Sarah here. We’re hoping Jeff decides to ride with us as well. You could also join us! Prince Edward County is lovely bike riding country.

Occasional guest blogger and family member Susan has written about the ride too but this year she’s not riding due to a recent injury. We’re riding and raising funds on her behalf and have named our tiny team Susan’s Spinners.

We’re riding the 75 km route below.

Pedal for Parkinson’s 75 km route
charity · cycling

Sam, Sarah, and Susan are Pedaling for Parkinson’s

Sam B2 Comments

You can sponsor me here.

“This summer I am taking part in Pedaling for Parkinson’s – a cycling event that was created to raise awareness about Parkinson’s and raise funds for research. Your donations support the Pedaling for Parkinson’s Research Grant and the Parkinson Canada Research Program.

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear. Currently, there is no cure. The need is only increasing. More than 25 Canadians are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every day; more than one person every hour. By 2031, the number of people living with Parkinson’s in Canada will more than double. Your support fuels the increasing need for research to improve quality of life and ultimately find a cure.

With your support we can help Parkinson Canada realize their vision of a better life today for Canadians living with Parkinson’s; a world without Parkinson’s tomorrow.”

To hear about the blog’s connection to Parkinson’s and raising money for Parkinson’s research, you can read Susan’s 2019 post on pedaling for Parkinson’s and her 2017 post on embracing life on a bike as someone with a diagnosis of Parkinson‘s.

athletes · fitness · race report · racing

Kincardine 2017 Race Reports: Susan’s Story, #kwt2017

Sam B1 Comment

Tara and Susan before the race start. Tara is wearing a red ball cap. Susan is wearing sunglasses and a bright blue t-shirt.

by Susan F

For the last three years, I have done the sprint duathlon. In 2015, I had not done any training and found the transition from the bike to the second run to be particularly troublesome. Last year I did some training in anticipation of that transition. However when I started the second run, my feet felt really flat and I had difficulty running. I attributed this to my somewhat overused running shoes and opted to finish the race in my bare feet. 

In hindsight, the problem was not my sneakers. In April, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. My symptoms include an inability to make my right foot do what I want it to do. I now think this is why I had difficulty last year.

I used to like running. Now I find it frustrating because it just doesn’t feel normal. I almost bailed on the race this year, but my cousin Tara convinced me to participate. I decided that I would enjoy the morning, hanging out with my friends and fellow competitors. I walked most of the second leg, enjoying the sunshine, the views of Lake Huron and the amazing support from everyone involved. Fellow competitors, volunteers and strangers on the street smiled, waved, honked horns, and yelled words of encouragement as I passed by.  I had fun.

I don’t know if I’ll do the race next year.  I’ll decide how I feel closer to registration but I might volunteer if racing  seems like too much.

Susan (left) and Tara (right) post race, smiling, with their medals.

Susan Fullerton, a lawyer working for the government, lives in Toronto. She is an avid traveller who has had varying levels of fitness throughout her life. These days, she’s focused on being a reformed hoarder, trying to make better choices about how she spends her time and money.