Golf Tournament at The Links at Stono Ferry Supports Parkinson’s, Respite and Community Wellness Programs
The Links at Stono Ferry hosted a golf tournament in May that helped raise funds for three local organizations, including a group that provides those who have Parkinson’s disease with an opportunity for two vitally important pursuits: vigorous exercise and social interaction.
Honoring a Legacy Through Community Action
Cullen Murray-Kemp was looking for a way to honor the memory of his late father. Jay Phillips was seeking funding for a low-cost exercise program that would give those with Parkinson’s disease the opportunity to participate in two of the most important activities for victims of the disorder: movement and social engagement.
Murray-Kemp, the publisher of HealthLinks Magazine, and Phillips, who has been leading Parkinson’s support groups in the South Carolina Lowcountry for the past 13 years, both reached their goals thanks to the success of the publication’s golf tournament. The event, hosted by The Links at Stono Ferry, raised around $15,000. Proceeds will be shared by Phillips’ groups, Respite Care Charleston, and the Rock Steady Boxing program at the Medical University of South Carolina. All three organizations played a role in making Michael Kemp’s life a little easier before he succumbed to Parkinson’s disease in October 2020.
“Golf brought my dad and I together on a regular basis,” Murray-Kemp explained. “My goal was to capture the essence of the program and send that back to all the participants and sponsors of the tournament – that this is where your dollars went. That’s the kind of grass-roots dots I wanted to connect.”
“It felt personal to me,” he added. “I felt like I could, from a storytelling perspective, talk to all our participants in the tournament and tell them: ‘You came out and had a good time, but look what your donations have done.’”
Expanding the Parkinson’s Pacers Program
Funds raised at the tournament will allow Phillips to expand a Nordic walking and urban poling program that helps those who have Parkinson’s disease with basic movements, gait, balance and cardiovascular exercise. Care partners are welcome to join in, and there is no cost to participate. The only equipment necessary is a pair of poles – much like those used in cross-country skiing.
The group, known as the Parkinson’s Pacers, meets one Saturday a month at Park Circle in North Charleston, a location that offers paved walking paths, adequate parking, family restrooms, water fountains and plenty of benches.
To avoid the Lowcountry’s hot and humid summers and the holiday season, the group meets in October, November, February, March and May, skipping April for the annual Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day fundraiser.
Building Confidence and Connection
According to Kalynne Ballares, an MUSC physical therapist who volunteers her time at the walks to ensure participants’ safety and confidence, the first monthly walk drew five participants, and the group has since grown to between 12 and 15. Ballares said she hopes that number doubles before the end of the year.
The monthly walks last about an hour and include stretching, instruction on proper use of the poles, the activity of Nordic pole walking and a cool-down period. Volunteers include occupational therapists, physical therapists and physical therapy assistants.
“We usually do two to three laps around the Park Circle area,” Ballares said. “If we have a lot of high-level folks, we can get in three laps, but sometimes only one – it depends on the group dynamics.”
In addition to the monthly walks, participants are encouraged to connect in smaller neighborhood groups. They all have access to a shared Google document to coordinate walks with others.
“We want to build confidence, fellowship and camaraderie,” Ballares said. “The goal is for them to walk two to three times a week in their own neighborhood. We want folks to be held accountable for their own exercise.”
Exercise and Social Support as Therapy
Phillips, who has Parkinson’s disease himself, facilitates support groups in Summerville and Charleston and produces a monthly newsletter distributed to around 300 people. “Exercise is the only thing that may help slow the progression of the disease,” he said.
“This is important. We don’t want people to start up now and do it for a while and quit. A majority of the people with Parkinson’s are not going to exercise. We hope this will give them one more option. Studies have shown that Nordic walking helps people with Parkinson’s, and social interaction is an important part of the therapy.”
Get Involved
To learn more about the Parkinson’s Pacers and other Parkinson’s exercise programs and support groups in the tri-county area, email jayphillips@homesc.com or call 843-482-0254.
By Brian Sherman
