Rehab goes ringside thanks to generous donations from the business community
ST. CATHARINES — Nevermind Mick Jagger, patients at the Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre now have the chance to show off their moves like Muhammad Ali or Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Late last month, doors officially opened on a new workout facility in the centre that is equipped with a boxing ring and ballet bar. While the two sports may seemingly have nothing in common beyond some fancy footwork, the centre’s director of rehabilitation Scott Harris said they both offer patients the opportunity to partake in vigorous exercise.
The new facility was made possible thanks to the contributions of the business community. Last year, Hotel Dieu Shaver Foundation’s major gift officer Matt Harris and the rehabilitation centre’s director of communications Mary Jane Johnson both participated in the fundraising boxing event Pearl Gloves. Shortly afterward, they were approached by the centre’s parking management provider, Precise ParkLink, with an offer they couldn’t really refuse: a donation of a full-size boxing ring.
“At first, we weren’t really sure that we could use it,” admitted Johnson. However, after talking with retired NHL player and close friend of the Hotel Dieu Shaver Steve Ludzik, she said they realized there could be a benefit to the ring after all. Ludzik announced in 2012 that he had been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease 12 years earlier. “He said he finds boxing really helpful for his rehab and has been doing it for quite a while in his home.”
Ludzik isn’t the only one to make the link. Rock Steady Boxing is a program designed by Scott C. Newman in the United States, who is also living with Parkinson’s. After engaging in one-on-one boxing training, he noticed an improvement in his physical health, agility and daily functioning. With the help of a professional boxer and a trainer, the Rock Steady Boxing program was developed with the mission of empowering those living with Parkinson’s to fight back.
While there hasn’t been a lot of direct research touting the rehab benefits of boxing when it comes to Parkinson’s patients, Harris said there has been a lot of research done relating to vigorous exercise and the positive outcomes it provides. The key, he noted, is ensuring things are done in a safe manner and at a comfortable pace for the individual. That was taken into account when retrofitting the ring for the rehab facility. Harris said it won’t just be used by those with Parkinson’s but all rehab patients. As a result, said Johnson, they had to make some alterations, including shrinking the size of it, making it level with the floor instead of having it elevated, replacing the canvas floor with one that is easily cleaned, and ditto with the ropes.
“We needed to make it fit our needs and requirements,” she said.
A door was also added to the ropes, allowing users to simply walk into the ring as opposed to sliding between the ropes like in a traditional ring.
“We had to consider a variety of mobility issues,” Johnson said.
Harris pointed out that the new floor of the ring has some added cushion that not only provides a level of comfort to its users but for those with stability issues it also provides an additional challenge - albeit a small one - that contributes to the rehab benefits offered. There are also height-adjustable speed bags that can be lowered for users in wheelchairs.
Along one wall of mirrors, on the opposite side of the room from the ring, is a ballet barre that will also be used for rehab purposes. Johnson said they’re looking at partnering with groups in the community to come up with specialized programming in the centre relating to both ballet and boxing, but in the meantime the facility will be made available to complement current rehab programs.
Wise Guys Charity Fund and local Boston Pizza franchises teamed up to donate the funds used to purchase a trailer that houses the boxing and ballet facility as well as renovate the interior. Quotes from Ali grace the walls, as does a picture of him towering over an opponent in the ring. The funds also allowed them to purchase equipment, including jump ropes, boxing gloves, punching bugs and the speed bags.
“It truly was a community effort,” said Johnson.
http://www.niagarathisweek.com/community-story/6945160-boxing-and-ballet-facility-debuts-at-hotel-dieu-shaver/
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