When Alf Todd straps on his helmet and jumps onto his bike he feels like a new man.
Despite living with ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 disease for the last decade, when he starts pedalling the stiffness and rigidity of his body fades away. He forgets about the fact that he lost his sense of smell years ago and focuses on the journey ahead.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 times in the day where I can barely walk, but once I get on the bike I donB次元官网网址檛 have ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚. ItB次元官网网址檚 a different signal from the brain to the extremities. ItB次元官网网址檚 complicated and I donB次元官网网址檛 fully understand it,B次元官网网址� laughed the now 66-year-old Colwood resident, who is raising awareness of the disease this weekend.
Todd was originally diagnosed with ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, 11 years ago. Symptoms, such as tremors, start gradually and can result in stiffness and slowing of overall movement. There is no cure.
B次元官网网址淚 knew there were issues. I knew something was going on, I didnB次元官网网址檛 know what,B次元官网网址� said Todd about being diagnosed.
B次元官网网址淎fter my doctor suggested it could be ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚, I went home and punched in ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 symptoms on the computer and there was a check list. There was no question in my mind.B次元官网网址�
Despite the diagnosis, Todd remained positive and refused to let it take over his life. He still had things he wanted to accomplish, and wanted to be physically able to play with his five grandchildren.
Then he hopped on his bike again. It was slow going at first, but now, Todd rides his bike almost everywhere he goes B次元官网网址� an activity that helps his ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚. In recent years, Todd has combined his passion for cycling with finding a cure for the disease.
Roughly six years ago, Todd and his daughter organized a long-distance ride from Victoria to San Francisco in which 16 riders raised close to $30,000.
Last June he also organized a ride from Port Hardy to Victoria with 15 riders B次元官网网址� six of whom suffer from the disease and raised roughly $28,000. Both fundraisers were in support of ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 research.
Fast forward a few years and this weekend, Todd will be embarking on another challenging ride B次元官网网址� cycling 200 kilometres from Victoria to Sproat Lake in one day to raise money for ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 programs at Headway Victoria Epilepsy and ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 Centre on Oak Bay Avenue.
Overall, he hopes to bring awareness to the disease.
B次元官网网址淐ancer gets lots of attention and breast cancer and thatB次元官网网址檚 fantastic they need it, but thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of other places too that need research, ALS, MS, ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚, thereB次元官网网址檚 so much,B次元官网网址� Todd said.
B次元官网网址淚 realize you canB次元官网网址檛 give to everything, but when we do a fundraiser and make $10,000 or $20,000, itB次元官网网址檚 only a drop in the bucket. But some day the bucket will fill.B次元官网网址�
In addition to the ride, Todd has also set up an online fundraising campaign that has raised over half of its $3,000 goal.
The bike ride takes place on Saturday, Aug. 11, where Todd will depart at 6 a.m. from 3118 Antrobus Cresc before riding to Sproat Lake.
To donate to the cause, visit gofundme.com and search
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