Ian Robertson is a man who understands the importance of staying positive. Living in Broderick, Saskatchewan with his family, Ian was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012 at the age of 56, but he hasn’t let it bring him down. In fact, Ian views Parkinson’s as his superpower and has approached his diagnosis with positivity.
One way Ian maintains his outlook is through movement and self-expression. As a former elite goalie trainer, Ian understands how powerful movement and training can be. He’s applied this experience to his Parkinson’s journey and tried to stay active and healthy. He expresses himself through inspirational blogs about his journey and experiences with Parkinson’s. His writing is honest, raw, and relatable, and it’s clear that he’s committed to using his experience to help others who may be struggling with the same diagnosis.
What really sets Ian apart is his recent foray into short music videos. On January 14, 2023, Ian released a video of himself moving to the music to a very positive response. Since then, he’s been steadily creating more videos of himself moving to the music and engaging with the lyrics. His goal with these videos is to use his voice, eyes, brain and body during the song, forcing them to work together as a sort of music and movement therapy for Parkinson’s.
These videos have clearly resonated with people. Since January he’s had over 20,000 views on his Facebook page! Watching Ian dance is a reminder that no matter what challenges we face in life, there is always something to celebrate. They also help to remind us that with Parkinson’s we can find fulfillment by focusing on what is still possible.
In Ian’s own words “While being diagnosed with Parkinson’s may be hard, it doesn’t mean your life can’t be one of quality. All it takes is to acknowledge seven little words. Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
Check out Ian’s Facebook page where he posts his blogs and videos. His positivity, and enthusiasm are infectious. We’re excited to see what video he posts next!