“I really enjoy the camaraderie,”
said Rock Steady Boxing (RSB)
participant Barbara Michael. “I’ve
learned I can do things I didn’t think
I could.” The fun and interactive
fitness program is helping local
residents who are living with
Parkinson’s develop better balance,
strength and flexibility while
building confidence and making
new friends.
It’s estimated there are more than 1
million people in the United States with
Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative movement
disorder which can cause deterioration of
motor skills, balance, speech and sensory
function. More than 60,000 new cases are
diagnosed each year. At Rock Steady Boxing,
Parkinson’s is the opponent.
“My balance has really gotten better,” said
the 75-year-old Huntingtown resident, who has
taken the class since last fall. “Even my doctor
said she could see a difference.”
Norma Ketay, who was diagnosed last
summer, said, “I’ve noticed I have more strength. She praised their
instructor. “Clemie (Pizzillo) is so
positive. She leaves us with a big
smile and a lot of great energy and I
appreciate that so much.”
The 70-year-old Dunkirk
resident added, “The class has
given me a lot more confidence…
just to accept what’s going on and
to keep going.”
CalvertHealth sponsors the
local Rock Steady Boxing class,
which is an affiliate of the national
RSB program. Seed funding for
the program came from a $5,000
donation to the CalvertHealth
Foundation by the Davidsonville
Ruritan Foundation (DRF), which
covered the start-up costs including
staff training and equipment. The
program is being sustained by
participant fees but additional
donations are welcome. “We’re
proud to support such a worthwhile
program that is producing such
amazing results,” said DRF Director
Eleanor Entzian.
The 90-minute class is offered
three times a week on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday at the
Patuxent Health Center in Prince
Frederick. There are two sessions,
level 1-2 for people who do not need
any assistive device and level 3-4 for
participants who use a cane, walker
or wheelchair.
According to Pizzillo, she
currently has 19 participants in the
two levels including seven women
and 12 men ages 63-81. She plans
to add more sessions if enrollment
grows. The fee for the class is
$100 per month, which includes 12
classes. There is also a one-time
$40 fee for the initial assessment,
which determines which level
is most appropriate for each
participant. Registration is available
online at CalvertHealthMedicine.org/
Classes.
Participants are required
to get a medical release from their
doctor. Pizzillo encourages anyone
who is interested in finding out
more about the program to come
and observe a class.
She said, “Rock Steady Boxing is
designed specifically for Parkinson’s
patients at any stage–from the newly
diagnosed to those who have been
dealing with it for 20 years.”
Pizzillo emphasized the class
contains a lot of variety from yoga
and tai chi during the warm-up
portion to chair and ball exercises
and, of course, non-contact boxing.
“They like the unexpected, the
surprise and the fun, so we like to
appeal to that.”
“Volunteers are a big part of the
program,” said Michael. “They’re
right there if we stumble or need
some extra help.” Volunteers
also help with set-up, putting on
gloves and repeating instructions
if a participant did not hear the
instructions.
Janet Selke, 71, of Owings said
she volunteered after observing a
class. “Once you see the people and
how hard they’re working, you want
to be a part of it.”
She went on to add, “You
just want to help them get better.
We’re here for whatever they need.
Sometimes, it’s just a hand or an
arm to steady them or to just be
there for them.”
At the beginning of each class,
every participant gives a personal
weather report. “It’s just one word,”
said Pizzillo. “It used to be cloudy,
gloomy and stormy. Now, I hear
more sunny.”
Get Moving with BIG!
CalvertHealth Outpatient Rehabilitation
offers LSVT® BIG, an intensive 16-week
exercise program taught by specially
trained therapists that is customized
to the specific needs and goals of each
Parkinson’s patient. It is a rigorous course
aimed at improving the movements
needed for everyday life. An at-home
regimen is provided to maintain the
positive benefits gained. A physician
referral is required. Call 410.535.8180
for more information.
