MUNCIE, IN — The streets of Muncie are blooming with rows of tulips, symbolizing far more than the beginning of the spring season, because April is Parkinson’s disease awareness month.
In less than a week, those same city streets will be lined with people in matching T-shirts all united under one cause: the fight against PD, a progressive brain disorder that damages dopamine-producing neurons, causing tremors, stiffness, slow movement and potential depression or sleep issues, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
On Saturday, April 18, the Young Men’s Christian Association of Muncie, Minnetrista Museums & Gardens and the Parkinson’s Support Group of East Central Indiana will debut their collaborative partnership with an inaugural 5k “Tulip Trot” from 8 a.m. to noon.
The event, roughly one year in the making, was inspired by last year’s “Tulip Trail,” hosted by the Minnetrista and Parkinson’s support group of East Central Indiana.
At that time, the YMCA was just getting their rock steady boxing program off the ground — a program Julia Murillo, the wellness program director at YMCA of Muncie, described via email as “a powerful, non-contact boxing-based fitness program for individuals living with Parkinson’s.”
Murillo was eager to partner with the other citywide entities to expand the support and increase awareness for PD across Muncie.
“I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact the program has on individuals living with Parkinson’s, and I’m passionate about continuing to support this community. I also believe it’s important to raise awareness of the disease, as it affects each person differently. I hope this event encourages others to learn more about Parkinson’s so we can all better support those impacted,” Murillo said.
The event is intended for people of all ages and abilities — including children, with events such as “Kid’s Fun Run.”
Funcie Run Club founder, Amelia Scanland, also had a hand in organizing the route and logistics of the 5k.
“My main priority was to give (the YMCA) a route that they could then decide, based on their budget, what (city streets) they would want to block off or not,” Scanland said. “Accessibility was something we were trying to make, but I do realize parts of the course are on paved walking paths — and not every walking path in Muncie is as accessible as it potentially could be just because of maintenance.”
Scanland said the race is ultimately designed with families in mind, meant to build “camaraderie” among the Muncie community while raising awareness and fostering support for PD.
“I think there are lots of people who love our community, love being outside, using our Greenway (and) using different modalities of movement that are free for the community. Although (the Tulip Trot) is a paid thing, the proceeds are going to a good cause, (and) I think it highlights that ability to work out without having to have a lot of barriers to do it,” she said.
Dawn Condon, an associate clinical lecturer of speech language pathology at Ball State University and volunteer at the Parkinson’s Support Group of East Central Indiana, is encouraging everyone — even if they do not run regularly — to walk their dogs or bring their baby strollers along the trail.
“I hope it’ll be a big showing of support and bringing awareness for those with Parkinson’s, because it’s a pretty common, sad (and) bad thing to have,” she said.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, an estimated 1.1 million people across the United States live with PD with nearly 90,000 people diagnosed each year.
“We just want to raise awareness and let people know that there is support for them, their loved ones or for their neighbors — whomever. If you were touched and affected by Parkinson’s disease, you’re not alone,” Condon said.
Though participants who register this late are “not guaranteed” to receive a free T-shirt, Murillo said registration will remain open online through April 18. Both YMCA members and non-members can register. Proceeds from registration costs will go toward the YMCA’S rock steady boxing program.
Murillo added that all children who are signed up for the Kid’s Fun Run will receive a medal at the end of the race, along with the first-, second- and third-place winners of the 5k itself.
Contact Katherine Hill via email at katherine.hill@bsu.edu.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: YMCA of Muncie to host inaugural ‘Tulip Trot’ April 18 for Parkinson’s
Reporting by Katherine Hill, Muncie Star Press / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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