Jim Smerdon, left, pictured with his brother, Patrick.
You might recognize Jim Smerdon from Parkinson Society BC’s (PSBC) 2016 Awareness Campaign, This is Parkinson’s disease. If you have been to Parkinson SuperWalk in Vancouver, you might remember his family’s team, Show me the Smerdons, which was consistently one of the top fundraising teams. Needless to say, Jim, his family and friends, have demonstrated the power in rallying together to support the Parkinson’s community.
In an email interview with PSBC, Jim talks about what it was like to be diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s disease at the extremely young age of 33. He writes, “I did not want the disease to define who I was. I could have shrunk into a corner and disappeared and no one would have blamed me; but I have also found that the more visible I am, the more things I do, the longer I live, and the better life is, and so I embrace it.”
Recently, Jim Smerdon combined his passion to assist the Parkinson’s community with his lifelong love of motorcycles. “Motorcycles are in my DNA. My grandma loved riding, and grandpa too. They passed that love on to my dad. As kids we were never discouraged from anything – except tattoos!” In 2017, Jim spearheaded Full Throttle. Motorcyclists and car drivers alike gathered on a beautiful May day and drove from downtown Vancouver, along the picturesque Sea to Sky Highway, to the Longhorn Saloon & Grill in Whistler. Participants were encouraged to raise awareness and funds in support of Parkinson Society British Columbia’s programs, services, advocacy efforts and research contributions.
“I was pretty nervous last year about whether or not people would show up,” Jim admits. “I finally relaxed around Lions Bay and had a great trip. Like with SuperWalk, the best part of the event is meeting up with friends and family at the start and finish. Chatting, laughing and talking about cars and motorcycles is the best!” Jim didn’t need to fear, since the event had a good turnout and ended up raising over $18,900 for PSBC’s programs and services.
The second annual Full Throttle event is set to take place on Sunday, May 27th, 2018. Riders will meet at the Impark Lot at 511 West Cordova Street in Vancouver. For full details, including registration or to donate, visit www.parkinson.bc.ca/fullthrottle.