Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

'CHRONICLES OF A PARKY'

Sun Peaks man living with Parkinson’s publishes new book with hopeful message

Aug 16, 2024 | 6:00 PM

SUN PEAKS, B.C. — Ryan Oevermann is many things, a husband, father, Taekwon-Do instructor, 5th-degree black belt, and an all-around active person.

“I’ll ski, I will hike, I will canoe, kayak, swim. There’s no sport I don’t want to do.”

He’s also living with Parkinson’s, and recently published a book about it.

“I thought, ‘gosh if I’m going to go through this I might as well write about it.'” Oevermann told CFJC on Friday (Aug. 16), “I fell in love with the writing. It became very cathartic to write about it.”

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The average age to develop Parkinson’s is around age 60, however Ryan Oevermann was diagnosed at just 43-years-old. The brain disorder progressively impacts movement and the body’s nervous system, and there is still no cure for the disease.

Oevermann began writing, Chronicles of a Parky: A Lighter Look at a Shaky Existence, shortly after he was diagnosed five years ago. The book covers that period of time, and leading up to his recent brain surgery this past winter.

“I keep my to-do list full. Keep my roster full. This book, I’ve just finished writing and I’ve got another one in the hopper. I’ve actually got two going on. One is going to be a follow up to this book (Return From Parksville), and the other one is a gift for my kids for down the road (Always Push the Swing).”

Amid his diagnosis, Oevermann continues to run the Northern Taekwon-Do Academy in Sun Peaks, and lives an active lifestyle, focused on spending time with friends and family. The now 49-year-old credits his sports centred lifestyle with helping him learn to live with Parkinson’s.

“Do you think your background with Taekwon-Do has helped you amid your diagnosis?'” CFJC asked Oevermann.

“Oh 100 per cent, absolutely. Without Taekwon-Do I would be….” Oevermann shrugs, “I’m active all the time, right?”

Part of running the Taekwon-Do Academy in Sun Peaks is helping young athletes grow into confident people. Similarly, Oevermann wanted his story to help others with their own experiences.

“With Parkinson’s you don’t die from it. You die with it. So don’t worry about it,” he reiterates, “One of the greatest pieces of advice I got was from a neurologist when I was first diagnosed, or potentially diagnosed because they were thinking about it. He said whether it is or isn’t (Parkinson’s), it doesn’t matter. Keep on living your life.”

Chronicles of a Parky can be ordered through Amazon, and an official book release and signing event will be held at Morrisey’s in Sun Peaks on August 25.