Page 41 - BusinessWest February 17, 2021
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 The Southampton center is DopaFit’s third Western Mass. location, but Chad Moir envisions a larger space down the line, with more Parkinson’s treatment services in house.
Southampton, in 2018 — a site with more space, ample parking, and a handicapped-accessible entrance. He also launched a second, smaller DopaFit location in West Boylston.
When they first arrive at DopaFit, members undergo an assessment of where they are physically and where they would like to be in
six months. Then they’re assigned to one of
two exercise groups. One includes people who don’t need assistance getting in and out of chairs and can move about freely with no assistive equipment, like canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. The second group requires a little more assistance.
“With the group-exercise portion, that’s where
we have to be very imaginative and come up with fun and different ways to work with you because there are different levels of disease progression,” he explained.
Programming has continued to expand. “Our goal is to provide every non-pharmalogical therapy that you can in one place for people with Parkinson’s disease,” Moir said. “So we have yoga, tai chi, our exercise classes and movement program, and the Art Cart.”
That latter piece, a nationally recognized creativity and movement program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, was launched by Moir’s wife, Saba Shahid, who nominated him for the
Difference Makers award.
“Chad is truly the definition of a Difference
Maker,” Shahid wrote. “He has provided countless hours of free educational services for patients and assisted-living and nursing centers that provide support to people with Parkinson’s, and has spoken at a variety of seminars with the simple goal of spreading awareness about Parkinson’s
“With the group-exercise portion, that’s where we have to be very imaginative and come up with fun and different ways to work with you because there are di”fferent levels of disease progression.
and the importance of exercising for disease management. His dedication and love for others is seen in his daily efforts.”
Moir is always open to new modalities as
well, such as a recent addition, ‘laughter yoga.’ A member brought the idea to him, and it turned out one of the practice’s leading instructors lives in East Longmeadow, and was happy to teach a class.
“Everybody loved it,” Moir said. “People said it made a difference that day, and in the days after, to be able to laugh again.”
Indeed, the past year has brought unforeseen stress to the lives of everyone, including business owners like Moir and the folks with Parkinson’s
Moir
Continued on page 49
      DIFFERENCE
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