Real Stories, Real Impact
From people whose lives have changed with Rock Steady Boxing.
I am so full of hope – and it is exciting to be full of hope.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 months ago, and after that I felt like I had a black cloud hanging over my head. I didn’t know what my future was going to bring.
Nothing I read about Parkinson’s disease made me feel upbeat or positive about my future.
About a month ago I learned about Rock Steady Boxing through a friend. She introduced me to one of the boxers there – she was so excited to get me involved.
So I walked into Rock Steady on that first day – a coach met me in the lobby and asked how she could help. I broke down crying and said, “I have Parkinson’s.” She hugged me and we sat down. By the time I left Rock Steady – I was already feeling so much better.
Today, I have a new lease on life. I am upbeat, happy, and optimistic – I have HOPE. I have taken control of this disease. It is not controlling me.
The workouts are tough – but I cannot wait to get here each day. The other boxers are so fun – there is lots of teasing and good-natured “harassment” in the gym.
Most importantly, my family is so happy for me. I know it relieves their minds to see me so optimistic and happy… Our family room in our house has started to look like a gym. My husband is even hanging up a speed bag for me. I love to speed bag!
My son came to observe me in class one day. He said, “Mom, you were killing it on the speed bag.” Who would have ever thought a 71 year old woman would be starting a boxing career – and loving it so much?
Life is just good.
I can’t ask for anything more.
Rock Steady is my career. It my lifelong commitment that has helped changed my life for the better.
Rock Steady also is where I go to see my people and it feels like home!
Nothing I read about Parkinson’s disease made me feel upbeat or positive about my future.
About a month ago I learned about Rock Steady Boxing through a friend. She introduced me to one of the boxers there – she was so excited to get me involved.
So I walked into Rock Steady on that first day – a coach met me in the lobby and asked how she could help. I broke down crying and said, “I have Parkinson’s.” She hugged me and we sat down. By the time I left Rock Steady – I was already feeling so much better.
Today, I have a new lease on life. I am upbeat, happy, and optimistic – I have HOPE. I have taken control of this disease. It is not controlling me.
The workouts are tough – but I cannot wait to get here each day. The other boxers are so fun – there is lots of teasing and good-natured “harassment” in the gym.
Most importantly, my family is so happy for me. I know it relieves their minds to see me so optimistic and happy… Our family room in our house has started to look like a gym. My husband is even hanging up a speed bag for me. I love to speed bag!
My son came to observe me in class one day. He said, “Mom, you were killing it on the speed bag.” Who would have ever thought a 71 year old woman would be starting a boxing career – and loving it so much?
Life is just good.
I can’t ask for anything more.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 45 years of age.
I was basically told to go home and do what I enjoyed for as long as I could.
I was confused, scared, angry and wondering about what may lie ahead.
I felt from the beginning that Parkinson’s had won the battle.
Read MoreAbout five months later, I had two different medical providers tell me that I needed to check out Rock Steady Boxing. I wasn’t sure it was something that I wanted to do. However, I decided to simply go talk to them. After I did, I decided I could give it a try. What could it hurt to go to one class?
Well, that one class changed my life!
I was hooked.
Rock Steady has shown me how to fight Parkinson’s.
Between the classes and the people, I know that I am not fighting this alone. It not only helps me physically, but mentally with all of the support that I receive from everyone at Rock Steady Boxing. I was quickly accepted into the Rock Steady Boxing family. Now I try to reach out to others who may be just like I was when I was first diagnosed.
I want to let them know that there is hope and that we need to focus on what we can do and not worry so much about what we can’t do. Rock Steady Boxing is more than just an exercise or boxing program, it is a way of fighting the disease that brings us all together.
- Guy Hendricks, July 2016