Parkinson’s disease is one of the most dangerous maladies for not only the victim, but their care partners as well.
Starting in fall 2020, the Parkinson’s Wellness Project in Victoria is a non-profit and aims to alleviate some of the pain for survivors and their families.
Bailey Martin, executive director of the project, said one of the best forms of treatment for Parkinson’s is physical exercise.
“Exercise has been shown to slow the progression of the disease and help improve symptoms and quality of life,” Martin said.
“So we really focus on exercise. We have 21 classes a week both in person and online.”
The exercise classes are called PWP Fit; they cover the cardiovascular range of motion and functional mobility. The project also provides other physical activities, like rock steady boxing, dance, tai chi, yoga and even music therapy.
Aside from these classes, Parkinson’s Wellness Project also has counselling services, support groups and education seminars.
The exercise programs are geared towards people with Parkinson’s, and Martin said that care partners are welcome to those sessions, but mainly care partners use the project’s counselling services.
Martin understands that exercise isn’t for everyone, but strongly encourages it when signing up for the project’s services.
“Exercise and medication are really the two treatments for Parkinson’s disease,” Martin said. “So we really encourage participation in our exercise classes, but … there are some people that just come in for counselling.”
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The poject has 600 registered participants but only about 200 people are regularly active in the program. Martin said that while they had to close their physical doors because of COVID-19, their virtual doors were opened even wider.
“Because of COVID, we started to offer programs and services online,” said Martin.
“So now we have participants from all over Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, different parts of B.C. and Alberta. Even some participants from the (United) States join our program.”
Martin’s favourite aspect of the project is “giving people hope,” but the most challenging is outreach and fundraising.
“We don’t charge for any of our services, so funding is a challenge for us,” Martin said.
“It’s just a constant (question), sort of every day, ‘how are we going to get money?’”
The project currently relies on donations and community grants. Martin’s wish is for everybody on Vancouver Island who’s diagnosed with Parkinson’s to know about the Parkinson’s Wellness Project.
“(I’m) just really seeing the positive changes that the exercise classes and education and counseling, that effect that it can have on our participants in their family,” Martin said.