Since we had so much fun on our last trip out to the velodrome, we decided to go again. This time, professional photographer Brian Caissie came out to take a few pictures, and did a great job capturing what it's like to ride the track. When there's snow and cold temperatures outside, being able to use the velodrome for a fast, fun workout has been great, and we're looking forward to stopping by more often as the year goes by.
We would like to extend a thank you to everyone who has been reading our blog. The other day we reached over 10,000 hits on our blog in less than a year, inspiring us to thank everyone for their interest and support. Thanks to all of your generous donations, Just Giver has raised $133,000 since 2006. This level of support is extremely inspiring, and gives us all hope for a brighter future for those living with Parkinson's and their loved ones.
Every year, most of us are asked at length what we want for Christmas. While receiving gifts is part of what makes the season so much fun, can you remember even two or three gifts that you received last year? Odds are, most of the objects have long since been eaten, used up, packed away, or even thrown out.
This year, why not ask that a donation be made in your name for Parkinson's? It's convenient to purchase (letting the buyer avoid busy malls) and has a positive effect on the lives of many. For those living with Parkinson's, a donation of any amount is a gift they will never forget.
Need convincing? Here's an example of something that Parkinson Society British Columbia recently did with donated funds:
Special equipment for Dr. Chris Honey, Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
On September 21st, Parkinson Society British Columbia made a special donation to Dr. Chris Honey to purchase an additional MRI Head Frame for Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. This frame is placed on the Parkinson's patient's head before the MRI in order to target the brain region for the deep brain stimulator or stereotatic surgery. Dr. Honey said "I am very grateful to Parkinson Society British Columbia for this support. With two MRI heads, we can increase the number of Parkinson's patients receiving this kind of operation".
Dr. Honey is the only neurosurgeon in British Columbia who performs stereotactic surgery, a minimally-invasive procedure that uses three-dimensional coordinates to locate small targets inside the brain and operate on them. He is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of British Columbia and is currently the Director of the Surgical Centre of Movement Disorders at Vancouver General Hospital.
On Saturday night, Branko surprised Kelly with a trip to the Burnaby Velodrome for his birthday, meeting up with Adam and Pat for the Learn to Ride course. The steep curves of the track seemed daunting at first, but we all got the hang of it pretty quickly. Our instructor Jeff, who described himself as "a pretty big deal around here", set us up with rental bikes and gave the class pointers for navigating the track.
After braving cold temperatures, windy conditions and rain on our last few rides, the comfortable temperature of the velodrome was a welcome change, and we found that the hardest thing about track riding was keeping the smiles off of our faces.
Pat, Branko, Kelly, and Adam get set to take on the (steep!) track.
The birthday boy cranks out to the madison line
Branko rails the corner at speed, almost taking out our photographer in the process.
Kelly leads Branko and Pat around Turn 2
A not-so-tight paceline was the best we could manage on our first night
After a career in Pro Boxing and a later diagnosis of Parkinson's disease Freddie Roach continuies to train and motivate some of the greatest Pro boxers of our time from Mike Tyson to Manny Pacquiao. Feddie along with his fighters, battles every day to beat Parkinson's!
This story, published on Sciencedaily.com, looks at a study that's focusing on how occupational therapy helps those living with Parkinson’s. The study is being undertaken at the Medical College of Georgia, and is even using the Nintendo Wii system to help make the therapy fun and engaging, as well as beneficial for patients. The study is also making patients complete word searches, play Jenga, and engage in stretching.
An often overlooked aspect of Parkinson’s treatment is the positive effects that physical therapy can have on patients, not to mention the benefits to having fun in a group.
Click here to read the full article at Science Daily.
An amazing journey that took place in Australia this past summer to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson's. Great to see what people around the world are doing to help in this fight!
Another story about Young On Set Parkinson's that was published in the Vancouver Sun last week. The story focuses on Bruce Jordan, a 42 year old retired lawyer who now runs a cidery in Saanichton called Sea Cider. Before being diagnosed with PD three years ago, Jordan moved into the cidery to escape the long hours of his previous job.
Now, to give back, Bruce and his wife Kristen hosted a Parkinson's benefit at Sea Cider called "Pouring for Parkinson's". Helping out has become even more important to the Jordans, as Bruce father was also recently diagnosed.
A short video to be reminded of the struggles of those living with Parkinson's. Also to remind us not only the eldery are affected by this devastating disease. Young On Set Parkinson's is sadly becoming more common.
Ryan Reynolds recently completed the run of a lifetime for Parkinson’s Disease. The 31-year old Vancouver actor completed the New York Marathon on Sunday, November 2nd, in a time of three hours and fifty minutes to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. Reynolds dedicated his run to his father Jim, who has been living with Parkinson’s for the past 15 years of his life. To prepare for the grueling 26.2 mile (42.16 kilometer) run, Ryan would get up to train at 4:30am. It was all worth it, as Ryan raised over $108,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation in the process. Click here to read more about Ryan Reynold’s run for Parkinson's
New blog updates will be back on a regular basis after some time away in Mexico!
We have had great feedback since we revealed the 2009 tour stages! Are you interested in joining the Just Giver Team? Please contact us for further information.
the final stage of our journey will see us arrive back to where we started. We look forward to arriving back in Vancouver to finish off another great journey.
Stage #9
Hope to Vancouver : 135km
Below is a map that sums up our planned journey in 2009!
After visiting 6 PSBC Support Groups in the last 4 stages now the route starts taking us back towards home in Stage #7, our recovery day of riding as it is the only day under 100km.
After a much anticipated stop in Salmon Arm, in Stage #6 we will cycle to Kamloops where again, we look forward to visiting the 6th and final PSBC Support group of our journey.
