After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, Lloyd Taylor found a new sense of purpose and freedom in his life through cycling. After searching for a way to manage and slow the disease down, he joined a cycling club called the Rigid Riders which served as a support group for people living with the disease. Lloyd soon figured out that cycling could help slow disease progression.
It was more than just exercise for Lloyd, it became the lifeline that he was looking for. He participated in the Spinning Wheels Relay, an event that crossed Canada from west to east. What was initially planned as a one-day ride in Halifax turned into a three-week journey. Lloyd was so energized by the experience that he ended up riding all the way to the coast. Every evening, he’d call his wife, telling her how great he felt, and she encouraged him to keep going.
With Lloyd’s newfound lifeline, he soon began to raise awareness about Parkinson’s and fundraising for a cure. As part of a nationwide campaign, he cycled from Dawson City, Yukon, to the Arctic coast, sharing his story and inspiring others along the way. In Inuvik, he met a fellow Parkinson’s patient shortly after arriving, and their conversation left him feeling even more determined to continue on his journey to bring awareness.
The toughest challenge came on the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, where Lloyd and his crew faced gruelling conditions. Halfway through the ride, he doubted he could complete it. But with the support of his team, including one other person with Parkinson’s, he made it to the Arctic Ocean, fulfilling a long-held goal.
Lloyd’s journey raised over $46,000 to fund cycling programs for Parkinson’s patients across Canada. He believes that community support and exercise are essential for managing the disease. For Lloyd, it was the support of his “little community” that kept him going, reminding him that even in the face of Parkinson’s, hope, movement, and connection could make all the difference.
There is still no publicly known cure for Parkinson’s disease, a disease that worsens over time. Nerve cells in the brain weaken and become damaged, causing problems with movement, balance and intense tremors.
Source: NNSL
