Marh 2025 | Vol. 21 Iss. 3
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Andrey Sledkov See Sculptor known worldwide named artist of the month Page 6 Inside...
Unified basketball Athletes of all types team up
Page 20
DanceBack Against Parkinson’s disease By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com
April is Parkinson’s awareness month.
W
hat common thread connects the lives of Brett Favre, Michael Clapier, Neil Diamond, Dan Gwin, Michael J. Fox and Linda Ronstadt? They are courageous artists and athletes who have confronted the challenges of Parkinson's disease (PD) with determination and resilience. Refusing to yield to the debilitating effects of the condition, they continue to inspire others to live life to the fullest, regardless of the obstacles. A theater major in college, local resident Michael Clapier has enjoyed a diverse career as a dancer, stand-up comedian, and, for over 30 years, a wrestling coach. Even after receiving a PD diagnosis five years ago, a quick smile and a firm handshake remain trademarks of his outlook on life. “My wife Linda and I have always walked together, and gradually we noticed a change,” Clapier said. “I slumped, shuffled, and could not stand straight. Soon friends were asking what was wrong. Not Recognizing the importance of physical activity, The Parkinson’s Foundation suggests a minimum of 2.5 hours of movement a week. To support this goal, The long after, I sat down with my doctor and Dance Box Studio graciously opened its space for Michael Clapier, where he now teaches dance twice weekly. (Photo courtesy Linda Clapier) asked, ‘Why am I so tired? I feel like I can’t move.’ She looked at me and said, ‘You be done to fight back against his physical this question: if there is no cure for PD and Parkinson’s Disease instead of fight back. might have Parkinson’s.' A conversation and mental deteriorating condition caused movement may slow its progression of the His mission statement includes helping as with a neurologist later confirmed it: ‘Yeah, in part by a dopamine deficiency. Dopamine disease, how could I create an enjoyable many people as possible improve muscle you’ve got it.’" is a neurochemical transmitter that controls way to gain movement? My life experi- movement in a supportive environment. After receiving medical advice from his movement and emotion. In Parkinson's dis- ence has trained me to find a better way to He envisioned meeting people at their levdoctor, Clapier began doing some research ease, the brain cells that produce dopamine create a difference when faced with a chal- el, focusing on large muscle movement, on his own about PD. He came across a are damaged. As the disease progresses, lenge. As a dancer, athlete and entertainer, accelerating the heart rate, stretching, conversation with Joanna Hamilton, Ph.D., more cells die, and the brain produces less I understand how to condition, stretch and cross-hemisphere brain function movement ABPP-CN, of Advanced Neurobiological dopamine, leading to greater movement dif- strengthen the muscles that move us. Re- and improving balance. Health of Southern California, who indicat- ficulties. flecting on this, I recognized the great powRecognizing the importance of physed that movement might be a beneficial way “Parkinson’s disease studies have er of movement, and realized I could help ical activity, The Parkinson’s Foundation of slowing the progression of the disease. found movement as beneficial as any of both myself and others who are experienc- suggests a minimum of 2.5 hours of moveClapier started thinking about his ath- our pharmacological agents,” Clapier said. ing this condition." Continued page 5 letic and dance background and what could “From this information, I then asked myself Clapier decided to DanceBack Against
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