Pedaling for Parkinson's

It started with a twitching finger.

When the involuntary movement spread to his arm and worsened, Ron Smith suspected something was wrong.

His thoughts were confirmed several years ago when he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease.

Smith, a Grand Haven resident, takes medication and had electrodes implanted in his brain to control his symptoms. His most recent form of treatment includes tandem biking through a program called Pedaling for Parkinsons.

In the fall of 2011, the Tri-Cities Family YMCA, Generation Care and North Ottawa County Council on Aging formed a partnership. After hearing the benefits of tandem biking, the three organizations banded together to help community members battling the disease.

Parkinsons is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Each year some 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease.

Based on a research project, people with the disease who attended 40-minute sessions three times a week and biked revolution speeds of 80 rpm to 90 rpm often experienced better mobility, said Holly Lookabaugh-Deur, president of Generation Care.

It provides a lot of different options because Parkinsons is such a progressive disease, she said. Some have mild tremors, and some are completely wheelchair-bound. I think we having something for everyone.

Smith,79, said hes in better shape since he started biking. He attends sessions at Tri-Cities Family YMCA, 1 Y Drive in Grand Haven.

Nothing cures it, Smith said. Anything that gets it further away is good.

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Pedaling for Parkinson's