Boxing program helps those with Parkinson's fight disease
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - Nestled in the basement of the independent living building at Lutheran Life Villages sits a simple gym with an uplifting story.
The concrete-encased venue is nestled down a long hallway lined with movie posters of "Cinderella Man" and "Raging Bull".
Inside, heavy bags hang from the ceiling and speed bags are mounted in one corner. Rocky Balboa and Muhammad Ali stare from photos hanging from the walls.
But this isn't a gym with boxers fighting for a belt or a title, but rather a gym with people fighting a disease.
Parkinson's Disease is a degenerative movement disorder that affects the nervous system and, subsequently, movement. The incurable condition progresses from a barely-noticeable twitch to uncontrollable shaking and the degradation of cognitive brain function.
At Rock Steady Boxing, those with Parkinson's fight back mentally and physically against the disease surrounded by people dealing with the same issues they are. There is no sparring, just simple bag work.
"I am the farthest thing in the work from an athlete, but this is great," said Bill Cotton, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease seven years ago. "Being together, we don't talk about (the disease) half the time. We don't dwell on the fact that we are all here for the same reason."
With some donning "Punishing Parkinson's" t-shirts, the class goes through agility, strength and balance drills in addition to the boxing. The program, started in Indianapolis in 2006 by former Marion County Prosecutor Scott C. Newman, focuses on bettering the lives of those dealing with a condition that affects more than 1 million Americans, with an additional 60,000 cases per year.
The rigorous movement involved in boxing helps jumpstart the body dealing with a shortage of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that affects movement.
"There have been studies of people with Parkinson's who have started normal workouts and people who have worked out with Rock Steady that show vast improvements in balance, posture, stability and mental attitude with Rock Steady," said Whitley Mikolay, Wellness Coordinator for Lutheran Life Villages. "They are all friends. They have become a family in here now."
Several years ago, Russ Hanson saw a story in the newspaper on Rock Steady Boxing. With a mother who had Parkinson's for 20 years, Hanson kept the article just in case. After being diagnosed with the disease two years ago, Hanson jumped on board the program.
"The camaraderie is great," said the 70-year-old Hanson. "We all have Parkinson's, but it affects some of us in different ways. I have the tremor and the speech problem, but others don't have that.
"The muscles tighten up but this helps keep them limber and helps with balance. Plus, you're taking your aggression out on the bags."
And that may be the biggest benefit with Rock Steady. The program refers to the punching bags as "Parkinson's" with the encouragement to let loose the frustrations that come from such an exhausting disease.
"(It is tough) when their neurologist tells them this is a progressive disease that there really is no cure for and there is really nothing they can do except give you meds to try and subside symptoms," Mikolay said. "This gives them hope. It gives them something to do and strive for and work toward."
Rock Steady Boxing at Lutheran Life Villages has grown from eight participants in three classes two years ago to over 50 people in eight classes now. The program is open to the public, with some spouses and friends of those with Parkinson's also taking part for moral support.
"It is absolutely great, it helps my attitude, my mobility and my balance," Hanson said. "My attitude has improved tremendously."
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Source: The (Fort Wayne) News-Sentinel, http://bit.ly/1pRpfG5
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Information from: The News-Sentinel, http://www.news-sentinel.com/ns