Niagara man walks to raise funds, honour sister on charity hike for Parkinson’s disease

A Niagara man is getting ready to hike the trail along the Welland Canal later this month to raise money for Parkinson’s research.

Bob McNamara’s sister was diagnosed ten years ago, and he’s hoping his walk will help raise awareness about the debilitating disease.

Sixty-six-year-old Cheryl Smith was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease ten years ago.

“My pinky finger would twitch, that is what it was … and you lose your sense of smell,” recalls Smith.

Even though she doesn’t show the most ‘visible’ sign of the disease, she says every day is a challenge.

“There’s internal shakiness, too, that people don’t see … your muscles get stiff, but exercise is the best thing,” says Smith.

Today she’s out walking along the Welland Canal in Niagara with her younger brother. He’s gearing up to hike the length of the canal and back in support of his big sister.

“I am doing a 100-km charity hike for Parkinson’s in honour of my sister Cheryl,” says McNamara.

McNamara is starting at Lock 1 of the Welland Canal in St. Catharines on May 29, walking to Lock 8 in Port Colborne and then heading back, finishing on June 1. But he won’t be alone.

“My dog Clancy will be right beside me. She’s almost eight years old and we hike quite often during the week, and she’ll be with me most of the way.”

McNamara was worried when Smith was first diagnosed, but says he’s incredibly proud of how she’s doing ten years in.

“Pretty scared right away, you know how bad it can get … seeing what happened to Michael J. Fox so quick. But if you know early [and] start doing things you need to do to help, you can live with it.”

McNamara is raising money for Parkinson Canada.

He says thanks to family, and several sponsors including local businesses, he has already surpassed his goal of $1,500 and is now aiming for $3,000.

“He phones every so often saying I’ve got this sponsor and this sponsor. He must be bugging everybody, but I’m proud of him,” laughs Smith.

And she plans on joining Bob and Clancy for part of their hike.

“I can still do a walk, and I’m going to go support him and walk some of it and see what happens,” Smith says.

And the Welland Canal makes the perfect backdrop as both of them have memories of watching ships pass through when they were kids.

To help Bob McNamara reach his goal head to donate.parkinson.ca.