New Program Brings Hope and Fitness to People with Parkinson’s

 BY Rachel Urbanski | June 23, 2017

WAYNE, NE — The tremors, stiff muscles and overall restlessness are what people with Parkinson’s disease deal with everyday.

For Randy Peterson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson seven years ago, boxing has helped.

“I have boxing equipment in my basement and I see results. I think it’s positive. It’s hard work.”

The Providence Wellness Center in Wayne just began to offer Rock Steady Boxing, a program that is a non-contact form of boxing targeting people with Parkinson’s. The program has been around for 11 years and the location in Wayne is one of 260 affiliates around the world. 

“It really improves your flexibility and balance and those are the things that progress in Parkinson’s….”

As many as 1 million people in the united States are currently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, with 60,000 being diagnosed each year according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

Heidi Keller, an instructor, says the training improves motor skills, but most of all about confidence.

“It’s engaging for them, it’s great because the people in the group all have similar conditions so they aren’t alone or in the gym by themselves…They all have the same thing…It’s a good group of people.”

There’s no denying it’s working, according to Peterson who encourages those with Parkinson’s to join.

“It’s a no brainer, you have to do it.”

http://kwbe.com/local-news/new-program-brings-hope-and-fitness-to-people-with-parkinsons/