'A terrible disease': Photographer raising Parkinson's awareness with book of vintage cars
A local man who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over a decade ago isn’t allowing the disease to prevent him from following his passions and achieving big goals.
Steve Van Vlaenderen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011. Since then, he’s continued to pursue his passions of fitness and photography.
Now, he’s releasing his first photography book called ‘Vanishing Wheels,’ which showcases vintage vehicles in the Prairies.
Though Van Vlaenderen describes his Parkinson’s diagnosis as ‘kick in the stomach,' he made the decision to keep living life to the fullest.
“Exercise was my medicine, and you just keep going, don’t stop,” he said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Friday.
“It’s a neurological disease, not a mental disease. It doesn’t impair your cognitive ability, it just slows you down a bit.”
With his new book, Van Vlaenderen travelled all around Western Canada to capture the snapshots of vintage cars.
He said through the journey he took 10,000 images.
“It’s nostalgia for me…each vehicle that I take a picture of has a story,” Van Vlaenderen said.
“Then it also has an understory, so it’s layered.”
Proceeds from the purchase of ‘Vanishing Wheels’ go to Parkinson Canada.
“They have to find a cure,” said Van Vlaenderen. “It’s a terrible disease to deal with.”
- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.