White Rock Residents Bring SuperWalk Back to Town and Raise Disease Awareness – Peace Arch News

White Rock’s Parkinson’s SuperWalk will return next month, with the group’s founder reminding the city of the importance of raising awareness of the disease and providing funds to fight it.

Liz Holroyd started the White Rock Walk after going through a “really scary time” when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010.

With her husband Scott, Holroyd began taking part in several walks in Langley, but they wanted to start one in their own community to get the town involved in the campaign.

The full, in-person Superwalk had to be put on hold due to social distancing measures during the pandemic. After taking place virtually last year, the full-scale event returns this September for the first time since 2019.

Holroyd is excited to resume the walk in hopes of inspiring others to think of the Parkinson Society BC when considering a donation.

“If you don’t meet in person, you don’t have the same connection. We still had significant contributions, but it was declining,” she said.

The Parkinson Society BC helps people with the disease access resources, learn how their lives are about to change, teach families how best to support their loved ones with Parkinson’s and more.

Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder, with cases steadily increasing each year.

Funds raised through the campaign will help the society continue to provide these services and support research to one day find a cure.

Although symptoms of the disease typically begin when someone is in their 60s, it’s possible for it to appear early and lead to young Parkinson’s disease.

“When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010, the first place I went was the Parkinson’s Society to fully understand what was out there for me now,” Holroyd said.

“It’s a real curve ball when you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness and at first you don’t know, ‘Wow, what is this going to mean for me?’ You know, I’ve been working.”

After visiting the organization, Holroyd was able to meet other people with the same illness as her, who found a community with one another.

“It’s kind of beautiful because we all understand it, the things that we’re feeling,” she said.

One of the few forms of treatment for Parkinson’s patients is drug therapy with the drug levodopa, which is converted into dopamine in the brain. This fights the loss of dopamine associated with Parkinson’s disease.

For some, levodopa works wonders, but for others, the side effects can be too severe for them to see the benefits, Holroyd said.

“I had a really bad tremor in my right side and when I took levodopa… it took me a while to apply it because it’s a bit nerve wracking to apply… When I took it, within 48 hours it completely covered my body Tremble.”

Holroyd has some side effects from the treatment, but they’re manageable, she said. Her biggest symptom of Parkinson’s is fatigue and says she can “fall asleep in the middle of a conversation.”

For this year’s SuperWalk, Holroyd wants to show attention and appreciation to the caregivers of people living with Parkinson’s disease. From personal experience, Holroyd said she couldn’t have gone through the doctor’s appointments, treatment and everything else without her husband Scott walking with her every step of the way.

The White Rock Parkinson SuperWalk is scheduled for September 11 with registration at 9:00 am and walk start at 10:00 am City of White Rock County. The event will be hosted by Dave Chesney. To view the walking route or to donate, visit parkinson.bc.ca/superwalk and for local inquiries contact Liz Holroyd at 604-317-9599.

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