John Crouch has seven hours of biking ahead of him - and that's just on the day he's being interviewed by The Chief over the phone. The 70-year-old is on a mission that spans the Atlantic.
"I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do this," he said to The Chief from a phone booth in Vanderhoof, B.C. before leaving for Prince George. "This is something special, it is almost metaphysical."
Crouch is cycling from Whitehorse to Victoria - with a stop in Squamish - in an effort to raise money for and awareness of Parkinson's disease. His 41-year-old nephew, Richard, who lives in England, has been battling the disorder of the brain for 10 years. The two have always been close, Crouch says. They've hiked throughout B.C. and Wales and share an appreciation of wildlife.
But the medication Crouch's nephew has to take makes it difficult for him to maintain the lifestyle he's used to. Its side effects include weight gain, drowsiness and depression. Crouch is hoping the medical field will get stem cell research underway to aid in breakthroughs in treating Parkinson's.
On the other side of the pond, Crouch's nephew has been blown away by his uncle's fundraiser. Richard and his mother have started their own campaign in the United Kingdom.
It's not only family who is stirred by Crouch's action. His 2,500-kilometre bike ride is inspirational for anybody, says Ursula Dowd, but it's particularly touching for members of Squamish's Parkinson's support group.
A Brit herself, two years ago Dowd lost her mother to the disease in England. When she moved to Squamish a year later, Dowd was determined to do something for those with Parkinson's. After contacting the Parkinson Society British Columbia, she discovered there were no support groups for people with the disease in the Sea to Sky Corridor - so she set about creating one.
Now, on the first Wednesday of every month, Dowd facilitates meetings at the senior housing facility, the Squamish Renaissance. Participants talk about everything from how they cope with Parkinson's to medical updates.
One of the difficulties in getting people to attend is embarrassment, Dowd says. Her mother had the disease for 20 years. In its late stages, some of the symptoms included her body freezing. That would make her fall and after a while, Dowd's mother restricted her life to the confines of her house, Dowd says.
"We know there are others out there," she says. "We are here to help these people come together."
The support group is holding a welcome reception for Crouch when he rides through town on Wednesday (Aug. 3) at the Squamish Renaissance. Crouch is expected to arrive at 5 p.m. and the welcome party will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
For more information on Crouch's fundraising ride visit John's Ride for Parkinson's on Facebook or www.parkinson.bc.ca/events. For more information on the Squamish's Parkinson's support group call (604) 849-5333.
