Parkinson's hasn't slowed rower, 88

WORCESTER Paul Green of Saugatuck Rowing Club, the oldest rower in this year's USRowing Masters Nationals, is not your typical 88-year-old.

The sprightly Boston native, who has called Westport, Conn., his home for the past four decades, was a charter member at Saugatuck, which is among the largest teams participating in this weekend's regatta at Lake Quinsigamond.

Green also competed in the national championships in 2005, the last time they were held in Worcester, and is assured of bringing home a medal as one of three rowers in today's 1:31 p.m. lightweight singles final for those over age 80.

I'm not a great rower, that's for sure, Green said with a chuckle. I'm hoping I can do the 1,000 meters. I'll just take my time, but the big thing is to do it.

Oh, and one more important detail about Green he has Parkinson's disease.

Diagnosed nearly 20 years ago, he was years ahead of the experts in prescribing himself a treatment of vigorous exercise to engage his muscles and joints.

The whole thing with Parkinson's is use it or lose it, Green said.

I think people are surprised that I'm still rowing, and I think for people with Parkinson's, it sets an example, in a way, that you can still do things.

A degenerative disease that attacks that nervous system, Green suffers from the tremors typically associated with Parkinson's, but has remained remarkably in control of his body given how long he has been battling its symptoms.

Green lives on Long Island Sound with his wife, Eleanor, a noted psychotherapist and best-selling author, and usually rows four or five days a week.

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Parkinson's hasn't slowed rower, 88