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10 2018 Milton Canadian Champion: | Thursday, May 3 insidehalton.com COMMUNITY Parkinson s Support Group exploring benefit of dance STEVE LEBLANC sleblanc@metroland,com . Humming a few bars of r l'eddy Bear Picnic, Susan Bevers' mobility suddenly improves, If there's anyone who can truly appreciate the in spiration'/psychological boost derived from a sim- ple childhood tune it's this Miltonian,~ who's still ad- juSting to a new rea lity since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years ago. "It was one of my favou- rite songs growing. I use to shuffle a lot (when walk: ing), but I just start hum- ming it and my walking's much better." Husband Chuck agrees "She's not exactly Usain Bolt, but there has been a measurable improve- ment." The Teddy Bear Picnic therapy recently took root, at the Dance Class, where Susan is reaping the bene- fits of\a new offering by the Parkinson's Group of Milton. Run by certified instruc- tors Dianne Long and Lilly Petru, Dancers With PD 1s a" specially-tailored -pro- gram for those living with Parkinson's or other neurological disorders and their spouses/care- givers. Embracing the philoso- phy - that limitation Support Shouldn't be a barrier to participation, the dozen or so local 'dancers' began meeting this past fall for Tuesday afternoon ses- sions that.are equal parts x J: qo TT HH ~ F he / -------- uplifting, empowering and amusing. Of course fun is pretty much a foregone conclu- sion when mimicking a backwards float or some scarf-wieldingballet move- ments -- the men showing particular enthusiasm and even a little grace during the latter. "Our motto 1s 'There's no mistakes, only solos.' You might be the only one doing a certain move, but that doesn't make it wrong," explained. Long, a lifelong dance instructor who travelled to Cleveland in 2013 to get her Dancers Opame Lp A w Nikki Wesley/ Metroland Lilly Petru leads the group in the sun salutation during the Parkinson's Support Group of Milton's dance class at the Dance Class Studio. CNC Te ANON" adV d WE Srila 0% I % hue EXPECT THE BEST The vehicle Nikki Wesley/Metroland Joanne MacKinnon, above, participates with her husband Grant MacKinnon during the Parkinson's Support Group of Milton's dance class at the Dance Class Studio. Above left, Linda Green leads the mirrored action activity at the studio. With PD certification after being told about the then burgeoning program. She now runs classes in both Milton and Cambridge. "It's all about muscle mem- ory from childhood and finding those keys of imag- ery through music and movement (like with songs like You Are My Sun- shine)." Movements (either standing or seated) are al- ways done to an individu- al's own limits -- in a struc- tured but casual atmo- sphere -- with plenty of en- couragement to go around. Whether it be through an introduction to the tan- go, some warm-up foot work repetition or class- ending plies, group mem- bers enjoy the strengthen- 7B eV ARE RIOR ing 'of muscles, increased flexibility and boosted sta- mina. And that's just the phys- ical benefits. "It's great that there's this group here where ev- eryone shares the same af- fliction and can get such pleasure and fellowship from it," said John Dun- dass, a regular at the class with wife Joanne. "It's like we're com- rades in arms." Linda Green -- co-facil- itator of the local support group with husband Ken -- admits that it's some times a challenge to get people out for that first class, with the men usually being the more resistant ones. But that reluctance -- more often that not -- quickly fades once the toes start tapping and the sup- portive revelry ensues. "Not at all," said John, when asked if he had any initial qualms about trying out Dancers With PD. "My guys get as much out of the classes as my girls," said Long. "I love it." Added Petru, "Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body. When I dance I forget everything else and I just feel com- pletely happy to share my joy of dance." Those interested in join- ing the class, whether cou- ples or individuals, can just show up at the Dance Class (8750 Regional Rd. 25), but are also invited to call Lin- da Green at 289-851-8655 for more information. VISIT US TODAY! closer than evel