JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Parkinson’s disease patients gathered for an afternoon of perseverance and laughter as Rock Steady Boxing celebrated seven years as a program.
Rock Steady Boxing allows people struggling with Parkinson’s disease to find relief through boxing.
Leslie Wester, Rock Steady Boxing coordinator with St. Bernards Health and Wellness, said the program tries to target every issue related to the disease.
“They say if you see one hundred people with Parkinsons, you’ve only seen on person with Parkinsons because all of the symptoms are so different,” Wester said. “This program really helps people that are facing that battle.”
Participants say the program creates connections beyond physical exercise. Richard Long, one of the participants in the program, said the shared experience helps build support.
“Our symptoms are not the same but we’re close enough alike to support each other and appreciate how each other feels,” Long said.
Long joined shortly after the program started and said the community aspect provides crucial emotional support.
“If you don’t feel like being here, then that’s when you need to be here,” Long said. “There’s somebody here that will lift you up and make you feel better.”
Long emphasizes the importance of staying active to manage Parkinson’s symptoms before they worsen.
“Parkinsons is a use it or lose it disease,” Long said. “It doesn’t care what you give up as long as you give up something.”
Despite setbacks, Long says he has seen improvement in his abilities.
“I can do jumping jacks now where I was doing sidesteps, but I’m back to doing jumping jacks,” he said.
Wester says the program addresses mental health challenges that often accompany aging and chronic illness.
“Especially as we get older, we start losing our loved ones; we start losing our friends and so this brings a whole new community,” Wester said.
Long says his favorite part of each session is the group’s closing ritual, where participants come together and chant “Rock Steady” to celebrate overcoming challenges together.
After the session, the group celebrated seven years of the program with cake and snacks. Wester says some boxers have participated since the program began.
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