OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – April is Parkinson’s Awareness month and some Oklahomans are working to knock out the symptoms one punch at a time during a boxing program specifically designed for those with the debilitating disease.
“Ready, go!” said Coach Don Oliver to his class.
It’s not a typical boxing class. In this special course, Oklahomans give the 1-2 punch to Parkinson’s disease, a disorder of the central nervous system.
“Everybody’s symptoms are different,” said Martha Storozyszyn, a boxer with Parkinson’s.
“I couldn’t pick the right side up, or my arm would be limp. I didn’t have much control,” said D’Anna Boone, another boxer.
“Your muscles contract, your face loses its liveliness,” said Brad Elliot, who’s also in the class. “Exercise is the only known thing that slows the progression of the disease.”
Seven years ago, Coach Don Oliver, of Don’s Do Fitness, became certified with Rock Steady Boxing, an organization out of Indianapolis.
“It is symptom specific,” said Chris Timberlake with Rock Steady Boxing.
Timberlake is the director of Training and Education, she trains coaches, like Oliver, on the program centered around balance, flexibility, strength, and motor skills.
“Something that engages the brain in addition to the physical activity so that two different separate activities join together,” said Timberlake.
That includes exercises like counting while hitting the speed bag. Timberlake said research shows it’s working.
Oliver said it starts with a warm up.
“Loosens up the muscular rigidity that comes along with Parkinson’s” said Oliver.
Then, weights followed by the jabs and upper cuts.
“I can get mad and I can just hit it as hard as I want,” said Storozyszyn.
“[Those with Parkinson’s] have a tendency to bring everything in. So making them open up their body and move their hands and their legs away from their body is part of the therapy,” said Oliver.
Even yelling over the loud music is intentional.
“Because as Parkinson’s develops, things get quieter and go quieter,” said Oliver.
The boxer’s told NewsNation affiliate KFOR the program is working.
“I’ve noticed that I have less tremors,” said Elliot.
“I came in actually with a cane and was balancing on that,” said Boone. “I don’t have that obviously now.”
The biggest win is the camaraderie.
“I call it my tribe,” said Storozyszyn. “There is hope. You’re not alone.”
“Do we have ways of helping you box If you can’t stand? Absolutely,” said Oliver.
There are other local gyms certified with Rock Steady Boxing. You can find them, here.
