Beyond Boxing

 For most people, walking is an automatic movement which requires little to no thought process, right?  That is not true for people with Parkinson's disease.  When I walk, I have to tell the control center of my brain to give commands in my head, "march, march, left, right, left, right, lift your feet, swing your arms........"  If not, I tend to drag my feet, shuffle, stumble, trip or fall.  It is hard enough to have to concentrate on the walking motion, and now add the challenge of having to maneuver around people and objects.  Even the slightest downhill slope of a path will cause me to lose my balance and fall forward.  Walking became my worst enemy, and something that I dread doing on a daily basis. Human movement relies on the interaction of automatic and cognitive control but in PD, automatic control is diminished as the brain has trouble producing a much needed neurotransmitter call dopamine.  This means that people with PD must make a conscious effort to accomplish simple tasks like walking, lifting objects, pulling or pushing...things that healthy people do automatically.  What are my options then?  A walking cane, wheel-chair........I was not ready to go there yet.

I have read many articles about Rock Steady Boxing: a boxing program designed to help people with PD.  It helps to lessen the symptoms of PD and aims to improve the quality of life for anyone inflicted with this incurable progressive disease.  Studies have also shown that boxing can slow down the progression of this disease.  Boxers have also demonstrated significant improvement in balance and walking functions over time when they participated in RSB. My movement disorder specialist highly recommended me to try RSB, and I thought to myself what do I have to lose?

The first time I entered the Rock Steady Boxing Chicago gym in Elgin (a suburb of Chicago), I remember all too well the look of determination on the faces of the boxers.  After all, they were all fighting the same monster in PD but yet, they were smiling and having fun.  The camaraderie was undeniably noticeably visible.  Everyone was welcoming and I immediately felt at home.  The 1-hour session was intense, fun and it flew by unexpectedly fast.  I had anticipated some boxing, lots of break and take-it-easy-on-these-poor-people-with-PD kind of regiments but boy, was I wrong.  It was like boot camp!!  You box 3 minutes, switch to balance/strength/flexibility/stretching workout stations and back to boxing.  This cycle continues for a complete hour with couple of quick water breaks.  By the end of the hour, I was exhausted, spent and totally rejuvenated!!  I barely had strength, balance and flexibility on that first day but I was inspired and motivated to want to box hard like the other veteran boxers.  I yearned for their strength and I told myself, I will get there.  I just have to!!

Knowing I have to return to teaching on August 17, I had to learn as much as I can from RSB Chicago so I currently box at both Elgin and Glen Ellyn 3-5 times a week since mid June,  2016.  I have learned so much from the amazing and dedicated coaches,  Susan and Mark.  I appreciate their attitudes and expertise as they encourage/motivate the boxers to push forward but yet, they wear the coat of compassion and patience when working with the boxers.  They challenge us with things I thought was hard to do, but often than not, I was pleasantly surprised at what the boxers and I can do. I always feel good and accomplished at the end of each session.   Only 2 months into RSB, I already feel like I have gained an extraordinary family: people from all walks of life with their own story to tell.  Best of all, in just short 2 months, I have noticed improvement in my walking and strength.  I am pumped and now, committed to keep boxing so I can beat PD as long as I can. 

One of the best part about RSB besides the program is its people: Mark & Susan, the selfless volunteer coaches and the determined boxers.  I appreciate and love hearing the different stories from coaches and boxers about how their life's journey brought them to RSB.  Every story is unique in its own way but the common theme is how we are using RSB to unite us in our common goal of taming the beast in PD: by fighting to slow down the progression of PD for the boxers and for the coaches, how they can help the boxers lead a better quality life.  Here are some stories which I hope will inspire.

 Susan is one of the head coaches of RSB Chicago.  I asked her why she started RSB and this is a synopsis of what she told me.

"RSB was an avenue for helping my friend, Ro.  She has PD.  I had graduated in 2005 with a MS in Clinical Exercise Physiology yet when I reflected back on my studies, there was no recollection of PD discussions. 2 events were catalysts to rethinking my course in life.  Coming out of a 6-month foot ankle injury, I had a plaque in my kitchen that was placed to remind me "The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose." I started to question how purposeFULL it was for me to help athletes run faster, to be stronger and to enhance the performance of able-bodied athletes to be bigger, faster and stronger. It certainly was not putting a spring in my step. My own long-term injury was an eye-opener as what do you do when you can' do what you've always done? My vision became global as I thought about my friend, Ro. I began to focus on helping folks move/shift their mode of exercise to be more manageable relative to their current disability. There was a billboard about RSB that perked my curiosity so I hopped on the internet, called Indy and by the time the conversation was over, there was a fire in my belly. RSB gave me the opportunity to utilize my education to improve lives, not race times.  Now at RSB, I have seen moon faces start to smile. I have heard laughter, saw silliness, friendships built and shared tears. There is light, hope, camaraderie and souls have been awaken. One of them is mine."

I like Alesha the moment I met her. She is one of the dedicated volunteer coach. When she told me to punch 1-2-shimmee-shimmee (where you shake your hips), I knew I was hooked:) Alesha has lost her 3 young children to spinal muscular atrophy, her last child recently in March, 2016.  I looked at this beautiful woman and questioned how she survived the tragedies of losing all her 3 children. I asked myself if I have the faith to overcome this loss and yet, Alesha seemed so grounded in her faith and at peace with her suffering.  She was invited by Natalie, a boxer to help people with PD and little did Alesha know that by volunteering at RSB, she was being helped instead. This is Alesha's story.

"All I can say is that I fell in love the first day I went to RSB. I love all the people and what it does for PD. But truly it has helped me in my grief journey.  It was like serendipity-I stumbled upon something truly wonderful while looking for something different. Meeting RSB was fate. Coming every week is a choice but falling in love with RSB was out of my control."

Jeremy is my favorite volunteer coach of all. Of course, he is.....he is my son:) This young man has been going to boxing with me whenever he did not have summer classes at Columbia. His dedication and enthusiasm to help me is priceless.  He spent many afternoons driving me to RSB without any complaints when he could have been enjoying his off days with his girlfriend. This is his last summer break to enjoy (as he is graduating in December) before he enters the real world but instead, he reserved it for his mother, me:)  This is why Jeremy volunteers.

"I feel so helpless when I see you struggle with the symptoms of PD. I want to help you so badly and often, I can't. However with boxing, if I can help slow down the progression, I absolutely will do anything to make it happen. It makes me feel good to help the other boxers too. I can tell the men step up their game in boxing because I am young, and they want to prove to themselves they can do it. I like to challenge them to do what they think is beyond them, and when they succeed, I feel good that I helped."

When I first met Gerri at RSB in Glen Ellyn, she was so friendly and immediately reached out to me. She approached me to hand me a towel and to say hi.  I truly appreciated that and this is Gerri's story.

"I was diagnosed with PD in 2007. I continued to work FT until May 2014 when I retired from 43 years of nursing. Since retiring, I wasn't sure what course my life would take. Then I received a letter from Northwestern where my doctor is stating that the next support group meeting, they invited RSB to talk and demonstrate. So, I went and after seeing their demonstration, I was "hooked"(no pun intended:) Since then, my life has never been the same. I am so grateful to Mark, Susan and RSB for coming into my life. I feel rejuvenated and motivated again to keep on moving and fighting back. My family has seen such a positive change in me. I feel stronger than ever and my balance has improved. I am inspired to get up in the morning. I am excited to go to Glen Ellyn to see my new family and to laugh and share our lives with each other. As you can probably see, RSB has not only helped me physically but it has done wonders for my psyche as well. I credit Susan, Mark and the volunteers for giving us the inspiration and motivation to keep trying. For creating an atmosphere of hope, family and love."

Frank has been at RSB Glen Ellyn since October 2014.

"Joining RSB was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The program offers a variety of rigorous non-contact boxing workouts that at times would put the healthiest individual to the test and hey, we get to listen to rock n roll music during the class too. What could be better? The coaches and volunteers make the workout fun, allowing the hour to go by before you know it. I honestly believe that my body has become stronger from RSB and I have more muscle control. All of us have some degrees of PD and there is a feeling of understanding, caring and compassion within the group of friends that I am very happy to be part of."

Terry is a personal friend of mine and we joined RSB together at the same time. Terry goes to the Elgin site and promised me she will try GE site one of these days:)  This is Terry's story.

"I joined RSB a few months ago because of all the positive things I heard and read about the program. I have to say it is all true. I have PD for 4 years now and RSB has really helped me with my strength and my overall well-being. The people in the class are probably what keeps me going every week. They are so supportive and positive about living with this disease, and are always willing to listen or answer any concerns or questions that I may have."

Dennis is also a fellow boxer at Elgin.  The first time I saw Dennis boxing, I was thinking, "this dude has PD? He is hitting with a lot of power and strength. I want to be like him." I am not quite there yet, Dennis but soon, I hope:)
"RSB has helped me by providing challenging/physical/fun activities that I am committed to.  Knowing that RSB is specifically targeted to those of us with PD has really helped me be disciplined in making this a life's priority. RSB has been a great source of encouragement for dealing in a positive way with the realities of PD. The fellowship is priceless!! I know God has allowed this to happen to benefit me and grow my faith. I believe RSB is a significant part of this process."

Sandy is one of the many selfless volunteers in Elgin. I love Sandy for her patience and being a retired nurse, she is always looking out to make sure everyone is okay. This is Sandy's story.
"I volunteer because God has given me an opportunity to give back to some wonderful individuals who happen to suffer from PD. The rewards are observing how hard these individuals work to improve their quality of life and the friendships built at RSB. I only provide encouragement but the boxers provide the energy and abilities to move forward."

The benefits of the Rock Steady Boxing is astoundingly positive and proven to show it works.  I still cannot believe others and I have seen huge improvements with my PD symptoms in such a short period of time.  I am so hopeful and encouraged that if RSB can help me that much in 2 months, I am confident I can hold the progression of PD at bay for a longer period of time.  That is so critical for the Young Onset PD group because we were dealt a cruel hand at a much earlier age, we need a plan of action to tame this beast as long as we can.  So, if you are not with a RSB group in your area, sign up now.  It will be the best decision you'll ever make.  If there is none in your area, approach a local gym or boxing gym to start one.  Contact RSB Headquarters, Indiana  and you will find the answers on how to start one in your area.  1,2,3 Go Rock Steady!!!!!!!!

Dodgeball;my favorite:)

Boxing in Elgin

Friends from Glen Ellyn