Hey boxers! Welcome to the MAY 2021 issue of our very own newsletter!
We’d love your contributions; so if you have a joke, an inspiring story, a cheer, a photo, or just some news that you’d like to share with the group, please send an email to RSBLondonnews@gmail.com
POETRY
Smaller – a poem about Parkinson’s
Andy McDowell was diagnosed with early onset PD in December, 2009, aged 44. He wrote the poem “Smaller” for his children – to help them understand what was happening to him. The defining message being that whilst Parkinson’s has forever changed him – and the body he inhabits – he’s still his own man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PFknl5YFsE
ROCK steady boxing STAR OF THE MONTH
BARRY PARKER
Fun facts about boxer Barry Parker:
What year were you diagnosed with PD?
I was diagnosed by Dr. Jog on Friday May 28, 2008 at about 2;30 PM, it is a date I will never forget. Well maybe not ”never” because I now have P.D. Dementia and have trouble remembering anything. I would also like to add that in 2016 I had Deep Brain Stimulation procedure completed. My PD symptoms were no longer being addressed by the medications I was on prior to the surgery. I was quite fortunate to have an extremely positive outcome from DBS.
Were you working at the time?
I was a VP at Sifton Properties Limited.
What was your job?
I was responsible for providing leadership in two divisions of the company: One division consisted of multi-residential property management. The other division was overseeing the development and management of congregate care retirement homes and Long-Term Care homes.
Did the diagnosis change the way you worked, or cause you to retire earlier than planned?
Fortunately, Sifton was a wonderful company to work for and they were always very supportive of my situation. I had previously advised them that I planned to retire at age 65, so I stayed with that plan.
It remains difficult for me to fully understand the PD symptoms that I experienced before my retirement. In hindsight, I had cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms that I was not fully aware of prior to my diagnosis: small handwriting, loss of smell, rigidity in my right foot, sleeping disorders (night terrors) and masking. After 2.5 years of going through various tests to find out why I was struggling, it was almost a relief to be finally diagnosed. Prior to my diagnosis, I cycled across Canada during the summer of 2005. A wonderful experience that I will never forget. Fortunately, I completed this cycling trip when I did because my symptoms started to present themselves during that summer.
When did you join RSB?
I first heard about RSB on 60-Minutes when one of the correspondent’s shared her husband’s story of having PD. He participated in RSB programs in the states and was very enthusiastic about it. In turn, I spoke to the management at PSSO about starting up a RSB chapter in London. Brenda and David Lipson were also encouraging the development of this chapter. Different individuals stepped up to make the London chapter of RSB possible.
What is your favourite part of the RSB program?
Making Laura laugh when having swimming pool noodle games! The camaraderie and friendships that have evolved by being a part of the organization.
What else do you like to do in your spare time?
In addition to RSB, I run and/or walk 8 – 10 km most days either at Springbank Park or at my cottage. Most of my sports and hobbies have fallen by the wayside as PD progressed. I still do a lot of reading…fiction and non-fiction. I enjoy visiting with friends and family, too.
Anything else you’d like to share with the group?
The leadership of Dee, Brenda, Dave, and the time donated by volunteers has made the RSB program a very rewarding experience for me.
FUN FACTS ABOUT COACH BRENDA!
We know that initially you joined RSB because of Dave, but what inspired you to be a coach – that’s a whole different level of commitment than ‘just’ being the corner man?
Why I became a coach- it fulfilled two of my retirement goals:
– to volunteer on a regular basis
– to participate in a fitness program an hour a day, 5 days a week.
I have found RSB participants to be motivated and positive (whereas as a physiotherapist I often had to convince people to get moving, this group is eager to challenge themselves).
COVID hasn’t been easy on any of us, is there any challenge that you’ve had to overcome this year that you’d like to share with the group?
A challenge I had to overcome this year of covid has been remaining patient. I feel the passage of time so acutely- missing our young granddaughters last 2 birthdays and being unable to see, support or hug friends and family.
-also, at 69 years old, there is a sense of mortality- how many years do I have left? This is not how I envisioned spending those precious years.
I hope you have time for activities other than RSB, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I draw, read a lot, spend a lot of time on the phone with old friends. My next project is to write short stories for my family about life in the 50’s to 70’s (turns out I remember those years quite vividly).
What’s your favourite workout music?
Favourite music to workout to- anything that makes me want to move. Don’t care what era it’s from. I am getting tired of some of the boomer era music and am open to new things in regard to music.
INSPIRATION
“I often say now I don’t have any choice whether or not I have Parkinson’s, but surrounding that non-choice is a million other choices that I can make.” ~ Michael J. Fox
WE’VE GOT T SHIRTS!
These are nice soft cotton T-shirts, available in men and women’s sizes. I’ve ordered them in the soft grey, but am certainly open to ordering in another colour next time. Just let me know!
Here are links to the sizing charts. I’ve ordered this style myself before and really like how soft and comfortable they are. The women’s ones fit quite slim, so I’d recommend going up from your normal size, especially if you throw things in the dryer (like I do).
WOMEN’S SIZE CHART: http://www.imprintableclothes.com/specsheets/GILDAN_640L.pdf
MEN’S SIZE CHART: http://www.imprintableclothes.com/specsheets/GILDAN_6400.pdf
Shirts are $20 each, 2 for $35. When they are ready I will deliver them to you!
Please get your orders in by MONDAY MAY 10th. You can pay me (Christine) once they are in and I’ve delivered it to you.
How to order:
Please email me your name, phone number, and shirt size and how many you’d like to: RSBLondonnews@gmail.com
WHAT’S COOKIN’???
Since we are still pretty much stuck at home, I’m certain many of you are sick of cooking!!! I know I am! Here are some website suggestions that hopefully will help break up the monotony of making dinner!
If you have ANY suggestions, cooking tips, recipes, take-out recommendations, etc. Please send them to me to share with the group!
Here are some websites to check out:
Mealime is a meal planning App. It has 100’s of recipes, most which can be done in about 30 minutes! I’d rate this one with 5 stars! https://www.mealime.com/
HelloFresh is a meal prep delivery service. I’ve used it a few times and have mixed feelings about it, but it did make meal planning way easier! They have their recipes available on-line, even if you are not a subscriber to their delivery program. I’d rate this with 4 stars!
https://www.hellofresh.ca/recipes/?continue=%2Fmy-account%2Fdeliveries%2Fmenu%2F%3F&locale=en-CA
You’re all probably familiar with Jill’s Table, located on King St. Jill has been teaching and hosting cooking classes for many years, has written several cookbooks, and has quite the treasure trove of recipes on her website. They might not all be exactly simple, but I’m confident they are all delicious. I’d rate this with 5 stars, especially for weekend, more relaxed cooking or entertaining.https://jillstable.ca/recipes/
The Covent Garden Market has recipes on it’s website too! If you’re looking for ways to use local produce and support local farmers and vendors, this is a good place to start. It takes a bit of clicking to find what you’re looking for sometimes, but there are many tasty recipes to check out! 5 stars for supporting local! https://coventmarket.com/category/blog/
IN THIS CORNER – A GOOD BOOK!
Have you read a good book or watched a great movie lately? Why not share that info with the group! Shoot me a quick email and I’ll get it in the next newsletter!
This winter I read a very enjoyable novel called Ragged Company by Richard Wagamese. It’s the story about a group of homeless friends that win a lottery, and how it changes their lives (or not, as the case may be). The writing is excellent, and the story is poignant, sometimes funny, and often heart-breaking. I hope you enjoy it!
CHEESY CHEER
“Rock Steady keeps us on our feet!”
Watch this fun short video of a RSB cheesy cheer!
Keep up the fight, friends!
See you next month!
Thank you everyone for your feedback, words of encouragement, and great suggestions!
