DUBLIN, Ohio — Dan French, 86, is stretching and exercising as part of his weekly regiment at Dublin Retirement Village’s Delay the Disease class.
In 2019, French was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and it mostly affects his right hand and walking.
He said it’s a continuing battle, but with exercise, it has helped a great deal, especially when it comes to continuing his long-time hobby of basket weaving.
“My grip and also my legs, my Parkinson’s is sort of taking away the ability to walk carefully. With exercise and so forth, it’s helped a great deal,” said French.
French began his hobby two decades ago, starting with bigger baskets then graduating to the miniature variety.
“A lot of practice and a lot of patience. The baskets are made out of black ash, and the miniature hats are made out of wax linen,” said French.
Delay the Disease class is open to the greater city of Columbus as well as residents to help those with Parkinson’s disease have a better quality of life.
“But over time, it takes away some of the motor skills, functional motor skills, daily tasks that we take for granted such as getting in and out of a chair or getting dressed. Sometimes even affecting breathing. So the Delay the Disease helps develop and consistently keep those motor skills functional so that residents can remain independent,” said Dublin Retirement Village Campus Director Ron Keller.
For French, the best therapy is finishing up a new creation after hours of time spent.
All these are approved by his wife who also lives in the retirement community.
He said he’s proud of them all but knows the best is yet to come.
“Do as much as you can because you’re gradually gonna lose it I think. But I’ve got a lot of hobbies to keep me busy and it’s all in the back of my mind that I’m going to be getting to them sometime,” said French.
