Bob is a close family member of Kelly and the Jablonski family.  He suffers from Parkinson's Disease, and has provided inspiration for the "Just-Giver" fund-raising ride.   

     Growing up in Northern BC didn't offer much opportunity, so Bob set out on his own, arriving in Prince Rupert to work in the fishing industry.  Best known as a mariner, Bob spent 30 years as a commercial fisherman and skipper here in BC waters and internationally.   He was also an avid hockey player, and later a hockey fan as PD left him unable to physically participate.  As the years passed, Bob began to notice stiffness and discomfort in his back and hips, perhaps the result of hockey or downhill skiing.  He searched among health care providers for help, and eventually was diagnosed with PD at age 44.   There was some some concern that chronic diesel fumes may have sparked his disease onset.  With developing physical limitations, Bob was eventually forced to leave fishing to administrate a First Nations school in his hometown.  The PD progressed to periods where he was wheelchair-bound or hospitalized or unable to cope, with complete reliance on family.  His smiling grin, was replaced with the stiff expression of a PD sufferer.  Unfortunately he had reached the Sinemet drug maximum for controlling PD symptoms, and so 4 years ago underwent brain surgery to help control involuntary movement, muscle rigidity, and balance problems.  Although the surgery helped his physical problems, Bob developed aphasia as a negative side effect which makes it difficult for him to communicate.  He has been cared for closely over the years by friends and family, but as PD progresses it becomes more than just a movement disorder.  Memory, cognition, emotion and the normal sleep-wake cycle are all affected.  

     Bob is currently age 62, and at a moderate to advanced stage of the disease.  He requires full-time care now. Through research dollars, scientists are united in the expectation that PD can be beat!