This weekend, more than 2,500 people across Canada will participate in the 36th annual SuperWalk, uniting to raise vital funds and awareness for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Here in Barrie, there’s a rather unique way to come and enjoy the day. Local artist, Linda Laforge, will be on-site at Sunnidale Park on Saturday drawing free caricatures, in hopes of drawing people out to support the cause. Laforge and her husband participate in the event every year and for her, it holds a special meaning. It’s to honour her late father, Len Laforge, who had Parkinson’s and who was deeply involved in the organization. “It was really difficult for him, my dad today, would’ve been diagnosed with ADHD - he was very hyper, very talkative, energetic guy and it changed him in a big way, it changed him a lot, and I think that was hard for my mom to see him,” said Laforge. “My mom who wouldn’t drive and got her driver’s licence in her 50s because she knew she was going to have to look after him and look after her family. So, it changed the family a lot,” she added. The SuperWalk is the largest annual fundraiser for Parkinson Canada, enabling the organization to empower the Parkinson’s community through tailored support, innovative research and raising the voice of all those impacted by Parkinson’s. In Canada, more than 110,000 people live with Parkinson’s and that number is projected to grow to 150,000 by 2034 and the main risk factor for Parkinson’s is increasing age, but younger people can be affected as well. Since 1990, SuperWalk has brought the Parkinson’s community together every September, raising more than $45 million to support research, advocacy, and resources. Participants can join in person at designated locations or “Walk Your Way” by hosting their own self-directed fundraising events. To support Laforge and her family, donate online.
