23yearold and threeyearold teamed up for Parkinsons ride

When a loved one is affected by a disease that one knows nothing about, it can feel helpless. When Cory Welsh found out his father had Parkinson Disease it sparked the need in him to find out more, and to bring more visibility to what was once thought of as a disease exclusive to the elderly.

“If I was smart enough to devote my life to Parkinson’s research in a lab, I would do that; however, cycling is something I knew I could do, and devoting a summer to cycling for a cause so close to my heart feels like something I just had to do” said Welsh, who recently graduated from the University of Windsor.

“My father has Parkinson’s, but he is very hopeful of a cure ... he devoted a big chunk of his life to taking care of me, and I want to give back to him in any way that I could”.

Welsh passed through the Waterloo area on Aug. 14 at welcomed by Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran, Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig and Kitchener councillor Yvonne Fernandes.  The public joined in the festivities, which included a free barbecue at Sportsworld Crossing in Kitchener.

Welsh rode into town accompanied by three-year -old Lyncoln Peters of Forest, who rode his lime green two-wheeler.  Peters plans on doing his own 10km ride in honour of his Papa on Aug. 31, with the hopes of “stopping his papa from shaking”.

For further details on these riders or to support their fundraising efforts, visit www.parkinsonsociety.ca.