It can take very few words for a life to be altered forever. For many, those words could be as few as, “You have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
Those few words have sent people into the fight of a lifetime.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that makes itself known through a deficiency of dopamine in the brain, where motor skills begin to slow significantly. The disease mostly affects those around 60 years of age or older.
There is no known cause of how those affected contract the disease, but there is no doubt that it gives many their own story.
Parkinson’s fighters discuss more about their stories and how they are fighting their way through it.
“My story is probably different than a lot of people. Mine started off with my COVID shot,” Parkinson’s fighter Ray Betz said. “I got the first shot, and then I had a locked shoulder and needed physical therapy, and then I developed a tremor in my left hand.
Tremors are known to be one of the main symptoms and indicators of the disease. Betz decided it was best to see a neurologist, where it took around three months to get the confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
Three months of confusion and misdiagnosis’. The same can be said for many others, such as my father, Dave Marr.
Audrey Marr with her father and Parkinson's fighter, Dave Marr.
“I was misdiagnosed at first with a lot of things related to my rigidity in my neck, and then finally they started putting one plus one together equals two, and I realized I needed to go to see a neurologist,” Marr said.
There is no known cure as of yet for the disease. But no matter what, those affected have one thing in common.
They wanting to fight the disease head on.
“I’ve learned to live with it. I think I’ve accepted it, but I’m not really sure sometimes,” Parkinson’s fighter Jeff Botcher said. “It’s a challenge at times, it really is, but I fight it.”
And he, as well as many others, fight it through physical activity. More specifically, through Rock Steady Boxing.
Rock Steady Boxing is a program that is primarily targeted for those who are fighting against Parkinson’s disease. The program has been proven to slow the progression of the disease and help with mobility and gaining back strength.
Not only does the program give many an improvement in their health, but it’s also a way to help those with the disease fight back against what may be slowing them down.
“The disease progresses, you know, it does. But it slows, we’re trying to slow it down and get on top of it,” Rock Steady Boxing instructor Marie Kolstad said. “I’ve seen their balance improve, I’ve seen the strength. I mean, they’re hitting us, and they’re hitting hard.”
And they’re hitting hard against one opponent. Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s fighters talk more about how Rock Steady Boxing has helped them through the disease.
Many have their own motivations for getting involved in the program, such as wanting to get more physical activity or wanting to gain connections and confidence through the fight.
But there is one key reason why the program keeps its fighters going.
“I’m young, and I’m active, and I want to keep living,” Parkinson’s fighter Tim Nett said. “I will stay as active as I can and utilize Rock Steady as another way to stay connected with people as well as just stay fit and active.”
The program continues to grow exponentially, as more and more people continue to see and feel positive results. And even for those who aren’t personally affected by the disease, there is no denying that this program is special.
“To be able to help and come alongside of these people and encourage them and push them–because I do push them–I feel that it’s worth it,” Kolstad said. “It’s what they need to do. They cannot stop moving, you know, The program is just growing and growing and growing, so we love it.”
As Rock Steady Boxing continues to grow, so does the fight. The fight of a lifetime.
