Where’d You Get Those Arms?!

The Story of Willow and how we came to be a team has so many interesting components. The process of applying for and then waiting for your “match” is an interesting “ride” to be sure. For us, it also came with another match. For it was at Service Dog Project that I met my beloved “partner in crime” and partner in Dames with Danes as we came to be known, Renee Le Verrier. This is that story……

In the beginning of my journey of getting a service dog, I was still quite unsure. Unsure of many things. Did I really belong here? Was it really time? Was this the right decision? One of the things Service Dog Project encourages is to come and spend time at the farm. I did. Initially, I sat quietly in the tea tent and observed other recipients, applicants, volunteers, the dogs, all I could. One day, as I was sitting there I noticed this very striking woman sitting in front of me. she was gorgeous. she emitted peace. I didn’t notice the HUGE dog at her feet right away. I had no idea she was a recipient. What I did notice was she had these amazing arms. She was “ripped!” and it was impressive. I leaned forward, tapped her on the shoulder and said…..”hey, where’d you get those arms?” A bit taken aback, she paused for a moment to process what I had said then answered “boxing and yoga”. “Seriously?” I replied, I couldn’t believe it. I proceeded to compliment her as they truly are impressive arms! They are the arms every woman dreams of having. No hanging flab to ” wave” as you wave, no “scrawniness” either. These were arms to covet. We began chatting and I soon learned the large dog curled at her feet was her Service Dog. What?! Yes. I then proceeded to launch into a myriad of questions about her Service Dog. How does he help you? What was the process like? What happened when you first brought him home? The list was long. I had found my “person”. Being Renee and the ever patient person she is, she answered all my questions and it was a great discussion. From that day forward Renee and I became fast friends eventually forming our education collaboration and the rest is, well history. What still puzzled me though, was here was this incredible woman with these amazing arms who was in fantastic shape. What was her diagnosis? .

Renee, has Parkinson’s. Young onset Parkinson’s diagnosed in 2003. Being the amazing woman she is, she had developed LIM (less is more) yoga for people with Parkinson’s and started Boxing. She also does so much more. Turns out, exercise is incredibly beneficial for people with Parkinson’s. I’ve learned a lot about Parkinson’s because of Renee. I wish I didn’t have to because that would mean Parkinson’s wouldn’t have touched my friend but it did. It also touches so many other people everyday.

During the course of a conversation she and I were having recently, the topic came up as did a compelling question she had been asked.

“What would you say to Parkinson’s if you met it face to face?” The answer, was even more compelling and actually kept me up all night. “Don’t touch my son” she had answered and with that in my mind flashed the image of Renee as the protective mother, in her boxing gloves, with….THOSE ARMS! I spent that night playing that image and the conversation over and over in my head. Parkinson’s had already touched my friend. It continues to touch too many people. I’d always threatened to put “those arms” on a billboard maybe I could put them somewhere else? Maybe, I could make use of “those arms”. A video! A frantic text, then call to Renee and we were off. I’m sure she was dubious at first. Remember, I’m not the creative half of this team. We did what we always do. Sat down, called on friends for their talents and resources (Thank you Mark Amirault, Greg Gheb, Al Latulippe, Andy Meyer and Pedro!). Made her poor son’s head spin as he listened to us try and plan what we wanted to do, drove her husband nuts as we rushed to fit our project in before the move and yet….we did it.

To bring more awareness to Parkinson’s, the effects of exercise on the symptoms of Parkinson’s and hopefully so that Parkinson’s will NOT touch her son or anyone else as we try find more answers we made the following video.There are some great resources listed at the end.

Please watch and feel free to copy and share the link. It’s about awareness.

Because my message for Parkinson’s? Don’t touch her son or anyone’s child. You touched my friend and now I’m gunning for you!