A local woman behind the successful Parkinson’s Dance program at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada will be recognized with an award from the Quinte Arts Council this week.
Kristina McIntosh has led the way with this iniative since 2018 and will be receiving the QAC’s Arts Recognition Award at a special celebration on Thursday.
QBSC’s Parkinson’s Dance program offers free one-hour movement classes at 196 Palmer Rd. in Belleville on Thursday mornings from September to June to participants living with Parkinson’s disease and those with mobility issues that range in age from 55 to 93 years.
Parkinson’s Dance classes are open to all levels and abilities and the program welcomes caregivers to actively participate.
The program has expanded with two instructors, McIntosh and Jocelyn LoSole and draws participants from Belleville, the greater Quinte area, as far north as Campbellford, Centre Hastings and Tweed, west into Quinte West, east into Napanee and south into the County.
More than 100,000 Canadians live with Parkinson’s disease and 30 more are diagnosed every day. A number of leading neurologists and movement disorder specialists include dance and movement classes among a shortlist of recommended activities for their patients.
More on the Quinte Ballet School of Canada can be seen at this link.
(PAUL MARTIN)
