Participants learn to punch at Rock Steady Boxing, a program for people with Parkinson's disease, at Sweat Therapy Fitness. (Photo: Sweat Therapy Fitness)
The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates at least half of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease will experience some form of depression. To help combat depression, anxiety and apathy for the more than 700 people living with PD in the Big Bend area, locally owned gym Sweat Therapy Fitness has organized a free community event dubbed “Staying Positive with Parkinson’s.”
The event is part of Sweat Therapy’s biannual speaker series, a community outreach arm of their Rock Steady Boxing program, which helps those with PD fight their symptoms through non-contact, boxing-based group fitness.
The seminar will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church from 9:30 a.m. to noon with an optional complimentary lunch to follow.
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| Dr. Dawn Bowers will be presenting strategies for living a happier and healthier life with “Staying Positive With Parkinson’s” on Sept. 14. (Photo: Special to the Democrat)
The program includes:
• Presentation and Q&A by neuropsychologist Dawn Bowers Ph.D; who currently sees
patients and conducts research at the Cognitive Neuroscience Lab in the University of
Florida’s Fixel Institute of Neurological Diseases
• Presentation and Q&A by Terry Ward, Ph.D., ATP, CAPS, RET; who specializes in
accessible housing and independent living technology
• Panel discussion featuring Tallahassee residents living with PD
• Opportunity to network with Rock Steady Boxing Head Coach and Sweat Therapy
Fitness Owner/ Founder Kim Bibeau
• Vendor tables featuring resources for those with Parkinson’s Disease• Opportunity to socialize with others in the Parkinson’s community
• Optional complimentary lunch
The program’s goal is to bring awareness to the mental health issues that often accompany PD and provide individuals, caregivers and families with everyday strategies to reduce depression, apathy and anxiety. Dr. Bowers will take a clinical approach by sharing the signs of depression, apathy and anxiety in those with PD and provide strategies to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Dr. Ward will use his biomechanical expertise to provide tips for creating a home
environment which supports positive mental health by fostering independence and security.
In addition to hearing from experts, the program includes a panel discussion featuring
Tallahassee residents living with PD. Panelists will share personal stories and answer audience questions.
“We hope to help soften the stigma associated with PD and corresponding mental health
concerns,” says Head Rock Steady Boxing Coach and Sweat Therapy Fitness Owner/ Founder Kim Bibeau. “We’ve seen firsthand how boxing can help improve mood and quality of life for those with PD; so why not go one step farther to share additional resources with our community?”
“PD changes the way the brain releases, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin – all chemicals involved in regulating mood, energy, motivation, appetite and sleep,” says Dr. Bowers. “It’s important that people with PD and their caregivers understand it’s normal to experience depression, apathy and anxiety and that they have options for lessening and managing their symptoms.”
“Those in the Rock Steady Boxing program at Sweat Therapy Fitness are already on the right track,” she continues. “My past research has shown that aerobic exercise is a viable intervention for PD that can be protective against increased depressive symptoms, and can improve several non-motor domains, including executive dysfunction and related aspects of language production.”
To RSVP to Staying Positive with Parkinson’s, email RSVP@sweattherapyfitness.com.
Admission is complimentary but a reservation is strongly suggested.
For more information about Staying Positive with Parkinson’s, email
kathryn@sweattherapyfitness.com.
If you go
What: “Staying Positive with Parkinson’s.”
When: 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1700 N. Meridian Road
Details: kathryn@sweattherapyfitness.com.
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/wellness/2019/09/09/sweat-therapy-plans-staying-positive-parkinsons-seminar/2256655001/
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