'We just have to push through': Parkinson's won't stop marathon bike ride

Two Islanders with young onset Parkinson's Disease will be part of a group cycling across P.E.I. next week.

Dan Steele and Natasha McCarthy say they expect the trip from Tignish to Elmira to take five days.

We only get one life to live.- Natasha McCarthy

They are raising awareness and money for Parkinson's research, and all the money will be used to help people take part in programs and services on P.E.I.

Both say their lives have been impacted dramatically by the disease, but hope that their Pedalling Parkies ride will inspire others.

Finding the silver linings

"Bad things can happen to us but we just have to push through and make the best out of [it]," said McCarthy.

"We only get one life to live."

"It's not too hard to find silver linings in all this," added Steele.

"The opportunity to show our children how to deal with adversity and to get them involved in volunteerism and things like this that show empathy and support, it's fantastic in that way."

The group will include a number of riders with Parkinson's, including some from Nova Scotia.

The bikers will leave from Tignish on Tuesday.

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