Doug Pickard
Parksville, British Columbia
Like many people, I knew very little about Parkinson’s until I met someone living with it. A chance encounter that led to a long-term relationship with Parkinson’s occurred around 14 years ago when I was approached by a woman who had been living with Parkinson’s for several years. She was looking to me, an exercise specialist, for help with her exercise program. From this positive experience, I decided to do all I could to build my skills to help as many people as possible in my hometown and beyond.
I created a Parkinson’s-specific exercise class named “Taming the Dragon,” based on research on the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s. A few years later, I became a local Parkinson’s support group’s facilitator and became certified as a PWR!Moves and Rock Steady Boxing coach. Once certified, I opened my own Rock Steady Boxing affiliate, the tenth in Canada at the time. Today, I am expanding my practice to include aspects of music therapy through sing-along sessions and drum circles.
I view living well with Parkinson’s as staying active, being social, and keeping a positive outlook on life.