Punch Parkinson’s disease right where it hurts! You’ll feel better — a lot better, according to Ramon Zamora, executive director of Rock Steady Boxing Walla Walla, an organization designed to use the sport of noncontact boxing to promote physical fitness for those battling Parkinson’s.
“They’re not patients,” Zamora said. “We call them boxers.”
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder in a specific area and nerve of the brain, causing various symptoms often including tremors, slowness, rigidity, gait and balance issues. It’s “a disease where the doctors don’t know who will get it, how they get it or why,” he said.
Based in Indianapolis, the parent organization, Rock Steady Boxing, implemented information from medical studies that indicated intense exercise focused on movement, balance and hand-eye coordination could help. According to Rock Steady’s website, recent research indicates some types of intense exercise may slow the degeneration of the nerves and disease progression. So the exercise of boxing, with footwork and intense arm motion, can help Parkinson’s sufferers to get better.
Zamora loves boxing and helping others, so the combination of the two naturally drew him in.
“I have local roots. I grew up here,” he said.
The 1983 DeSales Catholic High School graduate is a Certified Rock Steady Boxing Instructor and former Golden Gloves boxing champion.
“Boxing was my sport,” he said.
He won the Golden Gloves in his senior year and got an offer to turn professional, but he had just started baseball, another favorite.
“I don’t regret it, I still have my nose,” he said. “It’s the type of workout I enjoy.”
When he got out of college, Zamora returned here and started a youth center off Poplar Street.
“In the big red barn,” he said.
It was also the home of the Zap Boxing Club, where he helped boxers prepare to certify and compete.
Zamora’s plans took a turn when the building’s owner wanted to sell and Zamora didn’t want to buy it. He thought perhaps God was telling him this was the end of the center and of boxing, so at that point, he gave all his equipment to his students.
“I thought God was pointing me in a different direction,” he said.
Last year, Zamora’s journey took a new turn. He got a call from Dr. Nannette Goyer, who knew someone with Parkinson’s. After much research, they had found the Rock Steady program. Dr. Goyer knew Zamora from her dental practice, so they talked about the boxing program. He was fascinated, and flew to Indianapolis to take the class to become a certified trainer.
He was able to secure gym space from Dr. Goyer, off the parking area behind her office. There, his class of boxers battling Parkinson’s use the exercise of boxing to rejuvenate themselves physically, mentally and spiritually.
“Now there are over 500 Rock Steady affiliates,” Zamora said. “You can use their name, testimonials, documentation, all the backing.”
Many Parkinson’s patients end up depressed because of physical problems that cause them embarrassment and the inability to do things they used to do. The activity of boxing helps alleviate the depression and stress, and improves physical function, which in turn helps the boxer move out of depression and into a more confident attitude.
Zamora is passionate about boxing, but he’s even more passionate about helping others. Seeing the results of combining the two is a moving experience for him.
The classes for Parkinson’s boxers are not combined with those not battling the illness, except for their loved ones. Zamora keeps the classes upbeat so the participants don’t get discouraged. It’s a safe and healing place.
Classes are divided: One is for those with early-stage Parkinson’s, and another is for those who have more severe difficulties.
“I see them happy, see them fighting back. It’s encouraging to see them not giving up,” he said. “I am so blessed the man upstairs wanted me to do this work with people to give back.”
http://www.union-bulletin.com/news/health_fitness/boxing-therapy-helps-local-participants-knock-out-parkinson-s-symptoms/article_0a2d0f86-ff95-11e7-bf33-9b0994087c30.html
No comments:
Post a Comment