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Positive attitude pushes through Parkinson’s disease

"The rest of my life will be the best of my life," said 88-year-old Rose Dorish in a sing-song voice with hands clasped under her chin. "Laughter is the very best medicine." Dorish has Parkinson's, lung cancer and is legally blind.
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The Parkinson’s Super Walk takes place Sept. 12. Rose Dorish, right, along with walk organizer Linda Bruder, are part of the Parkinson’s Support Group in town.

"The rest of my life will be the best of my life," said 88-year-old Rose Dorish in a sing-song voice with hands clasped under her chin. "Laughter is the very best medicine."

Dorish has Parkinson's, lung cancer and is legally blind.

As with most people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Dorish's first noticeable symptom were tremors in her left hand that traveled up her arm as time passed.

Six years after her initial diagnosis, her voice has trailed to a softer version of her once stage-ready voice she used to entertain audiences as a member of the Elder Citizens Recreation Association's drama club she helped start 25 years ago.

The local Parkinson's Support Group, 35 members strong, is hosting the Parkinson SuperWalk this Saturday at Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park at noon for Dorish and all those similarly affected by the disease.

Parkinson's is the second most common chronic neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's.

Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, Parkinson's symptoms appear, such as tremors, slowness and stiffness, impaired balance, rigidity of muscles, fatigue, soft speech, stooped posture, and problems with handwriting. Medication can treat some symptoms but there is no cure.

In B.C. about 12,500 people live with Parkinson's and there are more than 100,000 who currently have it in Canada.

Dorish is a shining example of how to live with Parkinson's.

She eats well, exercises every day without fail and continues to volunteer every way she can. Dorish is still an active member of the drama club, she volunteers with the local branch of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and is a 68-year member of the Knox United Church and gives her time there, as well. To honour all Dorish's efforts, she was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Award of Merit by the City of Prince George in 2007 for contributing to the development of the community through her extensive volunteerism.

Dorish used to be a florist and started a service group that is now known as AiMHi for people with special needs.

About three years ago, Dorish was in palliative care and was not expected to live as her health rapidly deteriorated. She bounced back and although her symptoms have increased in severity and she lost 50 pounds, she still tries to maintain good health. She is looking forward to moving into an assisted living complex as her positive attitude continues to carry her through all sorts of adversity.

"I am looking forward to meeting 200 new friends," said Dorish of her move into the complex. "It's for my health and it's time."

Dorish is excited about the Parkinson's Support Group starting a choir in the fall.

The group is called the SongShine Choir and anyone whose voice is neurologically compromised because of Parkinson's, stroke, other diseases or simply from aging is welcome to join.

The Parkinson's support group meets the second Saturday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Spruce Capital Recreation Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive.

For more information about how to get involved with the SuperWalk, the choir or the support group, call 250-964-9695 or 250-964-7994 or visit www.parkinson.bc.ca to make a pledge.