January_February_2024_Sportorials

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January/February 2024

Refereeing Basketball has Helped Me Keep Parkinson’s on the Sidelines Being on the court has taught me valuable lessons about adaptability

When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, one of my fears was that I would have to stop refereeing basketball. The game of basketball has been a big part of my life since childhood. Some of my best memories with my dad were with him coaching my youth teams. I’ve loved coaching and watching my kids play basketball through high school. Nine years ago, a buddy convinced me to join him and start officiating high school boys’ basketball. We advanced to men’s college Division III and Division II within a few years. As the diagnosis settled in, I found myself grappling with the reality of Parkinson’s, especially its progressive and unpredictable nature. Questions about the future crowded my mind: Would I be able to continue doing the things I loved? Would my body betray me, forcing me into a sedentary existence? Refereeing was one of those things I loved and the prospect of letting it go was disheartening. It wasn’t just about the game; it was about the camaraderie, the thrill of making split-second decisions, and the joy of contributing to the sport. Parkinson’s threatened to cast a shadow over this passion. With the support of friends and family, I decided to persevere. Little did I know that this decision would become a cornerstone in my early fight against the disease. Refereeing, it turned out, was not just a pastime; it was a lifeline, a source of strength that helped me navigate the challenges that Parkinson’s threw my way. Giving the game my all On the court, the fast-paced nature of basketball demands quick thinking and decisive action. Refereeing forced me to stay sharp, both mentally and physically. Parkinson’s might have slowed my movements, but it couldn’t dampen my spirit. Each game became a personal victory, a testament to my resilience in the face of adversity. Moreover, the basketball community became an unexpected pillar of support. Fellow referees, coaches, and players rallied around me, offering encouragement and understanding. They didn’t treat me with kid gloves; instead, they embraced me as a colleague who happened to be battling Parkinson’s. The sense of belonging, being part of something larger than myself, injected a renewed sense of purpose into my life. Refereeing also became a form of therapy. The rhythmic play-calling and the coordinated crew movements on the court became my way of asserting control over a body that sometimes felt like it had a mind of its own. The timing and attention required in officiating spilled over into my

daily routine, helping me approach the symptoms of Parkinson’s with a determined and open mindset. As I blew the whistle, signaling the start of a game, I was momentarily freed from the constraints of my disease. The court became my sanctuary, a place where I could set aside my worries and focus on the task at hand. In those moments, I wasn’t defined by my diagnosis; my actions on the court defined me. Refereeing also taught me valuable lessons about adaptability. Just as in a basketball game where strategies evolve on the fly, I learned to adapt to the changing landscape of my own health. Some days were tougher than others, but I discovered that persistence and a positive attitude could make a significant difference. In the grand scheme of life, basketball and refereeing may seem trivial. But for me, they have been lifelines, helping me not just live with Parkinson’s, but thrive despite it. With its squeaking sneakers and cheering fans, the court has become a metaphor for my resilience, a testament to the fact that life can still be a thrilling game worth playing, even in the face of adversity. Doc Irish is a “patient research scientist,” not a real doctor. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 49 in 2020. He has an amazing family, is married with four children, owner of a healthcare market research firm. Believed to have eventually developed the disorder due to herbicide exposure while working for a landscaping company in high school and college – initial concerns were all about possible causes and trying to rule out genetic links. Now, focused on how can we try to make sense of brain-body dynamics… and how to accelerate real-world therapies. I’m now 36 months into my Parkinson’s diagnosis and I continue to adapt and evolve. I’m no longer part of the crew running on the court, I’m now part of the table crew, operating the shot clock. Even if the whistle is not in my mouth, as long as I am on the crew in some capacity, Parkinson’s will have to sit on the sidelines. With permission from BioNews, Inc., and Parkinson’s News Today and reports from Doc Irish, https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/columns/ being-basketball-referee-helped-live-parkinsons-disease/ Refereeing basketball has helped me keep Parkinson’s on the sidelines.

Life Member Gene Schaaf Passes Gene Wesley Schaaf

Passed away peacefully at Lisaard House on February 20, 2024, at the age of 88 years. Beloved husband of Marie for 59 years, father of Robert (Fran), grandfather of Dimitri; father of Paul, grandfather of Jordan. Gene was predeceased by his parents, Leona and Harry, and brother Don. Gene and Marie were married June 27, 1964 and lived in Ajax from 1968-2023. Gene was born March 17, 1935 in Gary, Indiana. In 1940 he moved to Hamilton, ON. He was proud of his education at the Ohio Military Institute in Cincinnati and was a graduate of McMaster and the University of Ottawa. Gene was an educator for 34 years, the last 23 as an elementary principal. A highlight for him was being the inaugural principal of Gandatsetiagon P.S in Pickering, ON. He was actively involved with the Durham Board Athletic Association, Principals Association and Teachers Federation. Gene’s lifelong passion was basketball. He was very involved in the development of basketball in Ontario, as a coach, referee, assignor, interpreter and evaluator. He was honoured to work as a table official during the Montreal Olympics in 1976. For his 50+ years of service, he was recognized as a life member of York Region, Durham Region and Toronto Officials Associations, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials and Basketball Ontario. Of special importance to him, was his induction as an official, into the Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame and recognition at center court, during a Raptors game in 2019. Gene will always be remembered as a wonderful son, devoted husband, father and grandfather. We hold him dearly in our hearts.