Local author Ryan Oevermann released his first book on Aug. 25, 2024, titled Chronicles of a Parky – A Lighter Look at a Shaky Existence, about his experiences with Parkinson’s Disease.
Even on the slightly chilly Sunday, a crowd was present all day on the patio at Morissey’s Public House to support Oevermann, chat about his book and get a signed copy.
As the crowd began to trickle down slowly, Oevermann was able to sit down with SPIN, warming up by a blazing electric fire.
In each book he signed, he included individualized messages, “something that will inspire them a little bit.”
Books are currently available for order on Amazon and he hopes to later have copies in local stores such as Bluebird Market as well as in Kamloops at Chapters and Costco.
Writing his first book: Chronicles of a Parky
He began writing when he first received the diagnosis, which helped him process his new reality by getting his experience down on paper.
This book highlights his experiences from the diagnosis up until his deep brain stimulation therapy. In a second book he said he will detail the events post surgery.
“I did all my stuff on pages for iPhone,” he said, adding that he’d write something down anytime he had an idea, even on the side of the road at times.
“A goal of the book is to give somebody a bit of a laugh,” he said, hoping it can spread awareness as well.
A fast growing disease, Oevermann has been finding more and more people who have it themselves or know someone who does, including those who showed up for the signing.
Seeing the case of books arrive for the release event with his face on the front was very surreal, he said.
“I’m really touched by the amount of people that turned out,” he said. “I find the first book is really a reflection of you.”
Because the quality of the content was unknown to those ordering copies straight away, he is grateful for the support based mainly on a judgement of his character.
Continuing to write
Oevermann is aiming to release his second installment in 2026.
“The goal for the second one of this is probably more awareness, more laughter,” he said, keeping the theme the same as Chronicles of a Parky – A Lighter Look at a Shaky Existence, just with a post-surgery point of view.
Since his surgery, he said he’s been able to ease further off medication. Since the device’s activation, he still has symptoms such as shuffle stepping, but the device’s effects are more stable and he is now visiting Vancouver for adjustments every six months rather than once a week.
With the awareness piece, the purpose is to get more minds focused on curing an increasingly prevalent disease by drawing attention to it.
He also plans on continuing to work on a book specifically for his kids, to be done by 2025.
“I want to give them some things they can take with them into adulthood,” he said, explaining the content will be lessons and philosophies they would’ve been taught by him growing up.
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