Movement Matters: New student clinic improving the lives of clients with Parkinson's

Helmut Knobl spent his career solving problems for others, whether it was bridging gaps between business needs and software development as a programmer analyst, developing computerized training programs for bankers or working on the help desk of a major law firm.

But when Knobl was confronted with a significant challenge of his own in 2024 — being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects body movement and coordination — he wasn't eager to do much about it. "I was put on medication and felt tired all the time. I let paperwork slide, I slept a lot," says the 83-year-old. "And I wasn't doing anything to manage my symptoms. Even though I knew exercise was really important, I wasn't motivated."

That quickly changed a few months ago when Knobl became a client of Movement Matters, a student-led clinic at Sheridan's Centre for Healthy Communities in Brampton that provides free personalized training and exercise sessions for clients with Parkinson's. "Once I started coming here and had a one-on-one instructor, I became very motivated. It's a commitment I have to keep," says Knobl, who now comes into the clinic three to four times per week. "I still get tired a bit, and I'm not sure that will ever change. But I feel stronger, I feel better, I feel safer when I walk, and I feel more independent."

Run by students in Sheridan's Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences - Kinesiology and Health Promotion and Clinical Kinesiology programs, Movement Matters is the first educational clinic to receive funding from the Parkinson Canada CARE Fund, a program that provides grants to qualified organizations working to support unmet needs of people living with Parkinson's and their care partners. Since opening earlier this year, the clinic has already grown its in-person client base from two to 10 and also supports numerous virtual clients, most of them from eastern Ontario.

"We've tried a lot of in-person programs, but they were far away and not one-on-one," says Tweed, Ont. resident Denice Wilkins, whose husband John Wilson regularly attends remote sessions with Sheridan student Sophia Carbone. "Sophia has designed a great program for John, she encourages him, and she ensures he does his poses and exercises correctly. I also can't emphasize enough what a benefit it is to me to be given an hour to do other things while knowing John is engaged and supported."

"Being able to talk to Sophia while I'm doing my exercises, telling her how it's affecting me on that particular day, makes it feel very personal and that I'm not just a cog in a wheel," adds Wilson. "Parkinson's affects people in so many different ways, and you're adapting constantly. The progress I've made is tangible, and it's what makes me want to keep going, to not give up."

Meanwhile, Carbone and other students benefit from working at the clinic as their field placement. In addition to coordinating patient intake assessments and building personalized exercise programs — all under the close supervision of program technologist Scott Owen, a Sheridan Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences - Athletic Therapy graduate, Registered Kinesiologist and Certified Athletic Therapist — Carbone has learned about various client outreach strategies to grow the userbase.

“The progress I've made is tangible, and it's what makes me want to keep going, to not give up.”

– Movement Matters virtual client John Wilson

"We handed out flyers, sent emails and made phone calls, but our traction with in-person patients really began when we went out and met with people. It was good experience for if I ever want to run my own clinic," says Carbone, who routinely works with three to four clients per day. "I've also received a lot of strong feedback from my clients and their families, and I see their progress in the way they're performing their exercises. I'm excited to come here every day, not only to work with our patients but also be part of this environment where everyone is so kind and supportive."

"We're already building a sense of community, which is so important," Owen adds. "Our clients love spending an hour of their day doing light movements and exercises while chatting with somebody. It helps them on multiple levels."

“I feel stronger, I feel better, I feel safer when I walk, and I feel more independent.”

– Movement Matters client Helmut Knobl

In fact, the regular visits to Davis Campus have prompted Knobl, who has taken Sheridan photography and business continuing education classes in the past, to consider going back to school.

"I'm going to start taking some courses again. I really like the people here. They're very considerate, they really look after me, and they've become like friends," he says. "My mind feels a lot younger than my body, even more so now that I've been coming here."

Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences – Kinesiology and Health Promotion degree teaches the science of human movement in all aspects of health and performance, providing the core competency requirements to become a Regulated Health Professional and preparing students for post-graduate studies in various applied health disciplines and specialties. The Clinical Kinesiology certificate arms kinesiology degree graduates with more than 700 hours of hands-on experience in clinical environments, positioning them and their future clients for long-term success. Students in both programs are able to apply their learning in Sheridan’s Centre for Healthy Communities, which also offers free clinics for athletic therapy and osteopathic care.

— Pictured in article are (top to bottom) Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences - Kinesiology and Health Promotion technologist Scott Owen (centre) with students (left to right) Monica Scepanovic, Matteo Ruggirello, Nolan Horne-Ross and Sophia Carbone; Movement Matters client Helmut Knobl; and Movement Matters client John Wilson performing exercises during a virtual session with Carbone. Group photo by Almira Nanez, Sheridan Social Media Specialist; Helmut Knobl photo by Sophia Carbone; John Wilson photos submitted