Sweating in his North Saanich home, Andy Robinson spends roughly 3.5 hours a week zooming a bike around hillsides around the world.

He takes the virtual rides alongside friends around the globe who have a couple of things in common: each lives with Parkinson香蕉视频直播檚 and is looking to stave off progression of the complex brain condition with exercise. The Zwifters Against Parkinson香蕉视频直播檚 virtual cycling group is just one source of motivation and camaraderie for Robinson, who is among about 3,000 Islanders 香蕉视频直播� and 110,000 Canadians 香蕉视频直播� who live with the progressive neurodegenerative disorder. 

Enjoying his late 50s, Robinson was slowly sliding into retirement mode a decade ago, taking contract work and slowing down on the work side of things when something physically changed.

His gait changed. He had a tight shoulder and a tremor appeared.

Robinson already had an inkling in the back of his mind that Parkinson香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播渨as definitely an option香蕉视频直播� even as he made a doctor香蕉视频直播檚 appointment.

The GP sent him to a neurologist who confirmed that fledgling thought was fact.

香蕉视频直播淚t wasn香蕉视频直播檛 actually as big a shock as I thought it would be,香蕉视频直播� Robinson recalled.

Some people deny, deny, and deny some more when faced with the diagnosis.

香蕉视频直播淚t happened fairly quickly for me.香蕉视频直播�

Parkinson's affects the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as tremors and stiffness as well as non-motor symptoms including sleep problems and depression. The disease is caused by the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for coordinating movement. 

While there's no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. 

香蕉视频直播淚nitially, it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 progress all that quickly for the first few years. I had some symptoms, but it wasn香蕉视频直播檛 affecting my life as much,香蕉视频直播� Robinson said.

Balance is an issue, and he had to give up sailing in recent years, but things such as cycling 香蕉视频直播� in the real world as well as virtually 香蕉视频直播� remain activity options. And activity is critical for managing symptoms.

Referred by his neurologist, he took on a leadership role, serving as chairman of what was then called HeadWay before its merger with the Parkinson香蕉视频直播檚 Wellness Project.

While every individual香蕉视频直播檚 journey is different, PWP in Victoria affords a place to hang out with people who face similar challenges. The organization focuses on activities proven to slow the progression of symptoms for some people.

They香蕉视频直播檙e tailored to the demographic, with flexibility for the diversity of impacted clientele. One classroom is covered with a foam floor in order to specifically practice falling, as well as working on core strength. Robinson香蕉视频直播檚 a fan of the Rock Steady Boxing. He figures keeping active has helped his symptoms, and there香蕉视频直播檚 no evidence for the alternative.

Anecdotally, there are active folks who haven香蕉视频直播檛 gotten worse year-over-year in what is generally a progressive disease.

香蕉视频直播淵ou only have an experiment of one, so you don香蕉视频直播檛 know what would happen if you didn香蕉视频直播檛 do it,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 definitely getting worse, my balance is getting worse, but I think I would have gone more quickly if I hadn香蕉视频直播檛 remained as active as I have.香蕉视频直播�

Beyond the physical challenges, Parkinson香蕉视频直播檚 can evoke emotional and mental health considerations that are equally important to address.

香蕉视频直播淒epression and apathy are quite common symptoms of Parkinson香蕉视频直播檚,香蕉视频直播� Robinson said. The Wellness Project offers counselling services, but also the very casual comfort of a central lounge, laid out living room style.

香蕉视频直播淚f you just go to the classes and leave, you don香蕉视频直播檛 make any connections with people. This way you make connections,香蕉视频直播� Robinson noted. 香蕉视频直播淟oneliness is a big issue for seniors in normal times, it香蕉视频直播檚 even more important with Parkinson香蕉视频直播檚 because it香蕉视频直播檚 hard to do things on your own.香蕉视频直播�

The camaraderie is also diverse, with folks from all walks of life utilizing the services. While donations are welcome 香蕉视频直播� those and grants are how the organization is entirely funded 香蕉视频直播� PWP doesn香蕉视频直播檛 charge for services, providing an even playing field.

With Parkinson's Awareness Month (April) now in the rearview mirror, Robinson worries about those who may not know there are resources available ().

香蕉视频直播淚 still think there are people, even with Parkinson香蕉视频直播檚, in Victoria who don香蕉视频直播檛 know about us, because there are people who are quite isolated, I think.香蕉视频直播�