ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 disease is one of the most dangerous maladies for not only the victim, but their care partners as well.

Starting in fall 2020, the ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 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 ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 is physical exercise.

B次元官网网址淓xercise has been shown to slow the progression of the disease and help improve symptoms and quality of life,B次元官网网址� Martin said.

B次元官网网址淪o we really focus on exercise. We have 21 classes a week both in person and online.B次元官网网址�

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, ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 Wellness Project also has counselling services, support groups and education seminars.

The exercise programs are geared towards people with ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚, and Martin said that care partners are welcome to those sessions, but mainly care partners use the projectB次元官网网址檚 counselling services.

Martin understands that exercise isnB次元官网网址檛 for everyone, but strongly encourages it when signing up for the projectB次元官网网址檚 services.

B次元官网网址淓xercise and medication are really the two treatments for ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 disease,B次元官网网址� Martin said. B次元官网网址淪o we really encourage participation in our exercise classes, but B次元官网网址� there are some people that just come in for counselling.B次元官网网址�

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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.

B次元官网网址淏ecause of COVID, we started to offer programs and services online,B次元官网网址� said Martin.

B次元官网网址淪o 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.B次元官网网址�

MartinB次元官网网址檚 favourite aspect of the project is B次元官网网址済iving people hope,B次元官网网址� but the most challenging is outreach and fundraising.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 charge for any of our services, so funding is a challenge for us,B次元官网网址� Martin said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a constant (question), sort of every day, B次元官网网址榟ow are we going to get money?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

The project currently relies on donations and community grants. MartinB次元官网网址檚 wish is for everybody on Vancouver Island whoB次元官网网址檚 diagnosed with ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 to know about the ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 Wellness Project.

B次元官网网址�(IB次元官网网址檓) 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,B次元官网网址� Martin said.