Parkinson's Diseas -another reason to be on the bike

[mimitabby]

when I was in Italy last fall, I saw an older woman with P. D. riding a bike.
She cruised up as natural as she could be. I didnt realize she had a problem until she got off the bike. I'll try to find her photo.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/211...o?vhost=travel

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/211...o?vhost=travel

[Python]

This actually does make a lot of sense. My late mother worked until she was 69 when my brother put serious pressure on her to retire. She worked part-time in a fashion shop and she loved it. She enjoyed the company and meeting people. She didn't really want to retire then but had got fed up with my brother constantly nagging her so she finally gave in and retired. It was the worst thing she could have done. Within a few years she developed Alzheimers Disease. From then on it was a steady decline. She went from being a very active woman who didn't look (or act) her age to a woman who didn't even recognise her own family or be able to do basic things for herself. Before the disease really took hold, she remarked to me more than once that she was fed up staring at four walls day in, day out. My brother says now (hindsight is a great thing) that he meant the best for her but forcing her to give up her job was the worst thing he ever did.

I do believe if she had kept working the onset of Alzheimers could have been delayed. By contrast my Mum's life-long best friend is now 88 years old. She is in a care home because she has now gone senile but she was still doing voluntary work at the local hospital, driving her car, travelling alone to Spain to visit her son, baby-sitting her great-great grandchildren and being very active up until early last year when, unfortunately, she took a series of mini strokes which sadly has left her senile.

[IFjane]

My father died of Parkinson's Disease in 2002. He had been exhibiting some symptoms for years (undiagnosed until 5 years prior to his death) & I am sure that he would have declined much more rapidly had he known earlier. He was an active sailor & the only thing that made him stop boating was his balance. He was afraid he would fall in while walking around on the boat so he quit....and went downhill from there.

I have seen Davis Phinney at races in Colorado and the man is an inspiration. He and his wife, Connie, have produced a super cyclist in thier son, Taylor, too.

[ChainsOflove]

My mother died of Parkinson's December 30, 2006. She was sick for 15 years and broke her neck at the end. It was a horrible death.

She was never active in her life, and I wonder how much it would have helped her.

[annie]

My dad was diagnosed with Parkinsons at age 52. He had to retire at 55. He is now 75 and living in a nursing home. He's been on drugs for PD for over 20 years. He is not in good shape now. However, he was a very active person, hiking, biking, fishing, when he was younger. When I think of how long he's been suffering from this condition, and how long he lived a semi-normal life, I do give credit to his active lifestyle for keeping him as well as possible for as long as possible. I know his doctors have always said he is in better shape than many others who've had this for the same amount of time. It is very inspiring to read about people who've done well in spite of PD, especially those whom bicycling has helped. Keep riding, ladies! Who knows what the benefits could be?

Annie

[Aggie_Ama]

when I was in Italy last fall, I saw an older woman with P. D. riding a bike.
She cruised up as natural as she could be. I didnt realize she had a problem until she got off the bike. I'll try to find her photo.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/211...o?vhost=travel

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/211...o?vhost=travel

Mimi- How did you know she had Parkinson's? I ask because my disorder (Essential Tremor) causes me to shake with out medicines. I was terrified that I might have P.D. until I got in the care of a good neurologist. It would be much better if that lady had ET, I can't believe she just rides naturally though.

[weathergal]

Thanks for posting the article telegirl. My dad has Parkinson's (diagnosed in 1995) and is on partial disability. He spends a lot of time just hanging around the house being bored. I've thought about getting a recumbant for him, and reading this has started that ball rolling again.

[twin]

My mother also died of Parkinsons about 12 years ago. I ride now and if I thought I would be spared Parkinsons because it is a horrible way to die I would ride more than I already do and then some.

[Running Mommy]

There was a parkinsons walk in Central Park yesterday. They interviewed Davis Phinney and talked about other athletes that are afflicted with PD.

As most of you know my great aunt has it, but she continues to paint. She just does it with her left hand.
Her art is here for those who have never seen it...

http://heleneminelliart.com/