Pilates for Parkinson’s: a fundraising event for a cure

This year, as part of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, two Shake It Up supporters will host the first ‘Pilates for Parkinson’s’ fundraising event.

On Saturday, 26 April, a special Pilates for Parkinson’s event will take place at Punt Road Wines in the picturesque Yarra Valley. Hosted by passionate Pilates instructor Vicky and her dedicated client Penny, the event will raise funds for Shake It Up supporting vital Parkinson’s disease research in Australia. Both Penny and Vicky have lost parents to Parkinson’s.

Vicky’s father passed away in 2022 after 15 years with Parkinson’s. Of her father, Vicky said “Dad was a really intelligent person, and cognitively he was still okay at the end. First, he couldn’t walk, then he couldn’t eat, he couldn’t swallow. So, in the end, he couldn’t even smile, like all those muscles just atrophy so much that he couldn’t use any of them. But inside, he was still the same, like his brain was still working, which was the worst part for us.”

Penny’s mother had Parkinson’s for 14 years: “My father became my mother’s carer, and we kept her home as long as we could. Thankfully, I just lived close by and supported them as much as I could. But to watch her physical ability just waste away was devastating.  Mum couldn’t speak, she couldn’t walk, she couldn’t feed herself. She lost her independence and the opportunity to do many things she loved.

Together, the pair is spearheading this heartfelt initiative to raise awareness and funds for a cause that’s close to their hearts.

The event runs from 10am-12pm, with the Pilates session starting at 10:30am, followed by bubbles and nibbles. Tickets are $50 per head. For more information or to attend the event, click here.

To anyone else looking to make a difference, the pair say “just dive in and make a start. We never expected this much success and expect so much more.”