A couple of years ago, a friend asked me to speak to a group of caregivers at her fitness center. They all had something in common: Their loved ones had Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and participated in a Rock Steady Boxing program.

Though I remembered a little about PD from my nursing days, I knew nothing about the boxing course, so I did a bit of research on both.

As you may know, Parkinson’s Disease chiefly affects the area of the brain that controls motor functions. Symptoms include stiffness, slowed movements, tremors, and imbalance leading to falls. The disease often begins slowly and progresses over time to affect speech, memory, and reasoning. There is no cure, but medication and/or surgery may lessen symptoms.

Since the motor symptoms usually start before cognitive problems, I was thrilled to learn of an exercise program specifically designed for PD that could help improve balance, coordination, and strength. Rock Steady Boxing is a non-contact course for men or women (both participate in the facility I visited) and can be adapted to each participant’s needs. Founded in 2006 by Scott C. Newman, the program now has more than 800 affiliate locations worldwide.

From what caregivers told me, the specialized movements help reduce the number and severity of falls and give their loved ones something to work toward and look forward to. As a popular adage among PD patients says, “Motion is lotion,” and one caregiver claimed it was a game-changer for her husband.

The activities may not take PD sufferers through to the end, but anything that keeps them upright and rock steady for even a while has to be a win-win situation.

The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Psalm 145:14 NIV

Tracy Crump dispenses hope in her award-winning book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness (CrossLink Publishing: 2021). A former intensive care nurse, she cared for her parents and her mother-in-law and understands both the burdens and joys of caregiving. Her devotions have been featured in Guideposts books, The Upper Room, and many other publications, and she has contributed 28 stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul® books. She also conducts writing workshops, produces a newsletter for writers, and does freelance editing. But her most important job is Grandma to five completely unspoiled grandchildren.