Chuvalo and AliOf course you think I am using Chuvalo as an anology for those of us fighting PD. You know, never give up, yada, yada, yada. Maybe I am. I haven't decided yet. We'll see as we go forth. But I started this entry to give you a new method of fighting the rapidity of the deterioration of our brains.
This entry is about boxing and it is a precis of a story I read in the newspaper about "Rock Steady Boxing". RSB is a program, aimed at PWP, in which participants box to fight the debilitating effects of Parkinson's. A session starts with a warm-up, which includes twisting, squatting, balancing, etc, followed by practising jabs and uppercuts on a dummy; then moving on to ring action which can be fast and furious. There are no George Chuvalos in the group, but then their raison d'etre for being in the ring is different. The pros are there for money and fame, while the PWP are there to fight PD and guess what? Boxing is among the best methods for temporarily relieving the symptoms of PD.
Researchers have studied how different forms of exercise improve Parkinson's symptoms. It turns out, as I have said before, any form of exercise is beneficial including boxing, walking, ballroom dancing and tai chi.
If there is a "Rock Steady Boxing" facility in your area, consider joining up. They will design a particular program for you based on your needs and capabilities. Makes sense, doesn't it? A designer program for a designer disease
My opening story about Ali and Chuvalo, was just a history lesson but, with 1,000,000 victims of PD in the USA an 100,000 in Canada, maybe there is a champion among us, just waiting to climb into the ring and show the rest of the world that we are not losers.
Well...not really.... it is inevitable that we will lose, but like Chuvalo, we will never let ourselves be knocked down.
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