On a trek for Parkinsons

Two Islanders plan on cycling the Confederation Trail from Tignish to Elmira in five days to raise money and awareness for Parkinsons disease.

That stretch will take Dan Steele and Natasha McCarthy 273 kilometres.

The ride will start today and end on Saturday, June 10. Each day, the kilometres vary between 45 kilometres and 64 kilometres.

The pair, who both live with Young Onset Parkinsons Disease, are also both part of the executive team of the P.E.I. chapter of Parkinson Canada.

All funds raised will remain in P.E.I. to be used for programs and services for Islanders living with Parkinsons, such as their dance-style movement class, neurological music therapy class and boxing classes.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological degenerative condition which affects movement and often causes stiffness and problems with gait and tremors, as well as non-motor symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and bladder problems.

“The idea of the bike ride began very organically,’’ said Steele, president of the P.E.I. Chapter of Parkinson Canada.

“My friend, Natasha, had been encouraging me to become more physically active for a long time, knowing that I had been a very active person prior to the effects of Parkinsons becoming a greater influence on what I was able to do.’’

McCarthy has always been physically active. However, after her Parkinson’s diagnosis at 36 years old, she knew it was no longer a choice if she wanted to live well with the disease.

“I believe there is a form of exercise that’s right for every person with Parkinsons, no matter what stage they are at,’’ McCarthy said. “Science has proven that exercise slows the progression of the disease and keeps one moving better.’’

Mill River Resort is offering the pair one night free accommodation to help. They will also stay at various homes or camp on people’s property. Volunteers will provide meals, and two individuals have offered to drive the route and carry supplies, meeting up with the team at each rest stop.

They’re hoping to see as many people as possible out at the finish line in Elmira. While they can’t say for sure exactly what time that will be, they estimate it will be between 4 and 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Updates will be posted on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PEIPedallingParkies.