Pediatric Rehabilitation
Hear what some of our patients have to say about the positive impact that rehabilitation services have made in their life.
“We are fighting back against the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and it gives us hope.” ~ Lyn
Lyn was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in October of 2021. Her initial treatment plan included medication and an order for physical therapy to help her improve function and slow motor deterioration. After her last session of physical therapy, Lyn’s therapist took her to observe a Rock Steady Boxing Class at Northwest Health – La Porte – a boxing program designed for people with Parkinson’s disease that emphasizes agility, endurance, hand-eye coordination and strength. “I remember I was filled with trepidation. I never considered boxing, nor imagined I could even do it,” said Lyn.
But that all changed once Lyn observed the class. After seeing firsthand the support and interaction, as well as how accommodations were made for each participant’s ability level, she knew she was in!
Has rock steady boxing made a difference?
“Oh my gosh yes, immeasurably! We do challenging exercises – boxing routines, weight training, obstacle courses and more. My classmates and I have seen improvement in core strength, coordination, stamina, cognition, balance and even confidence,” said Lyn. “Also the socialization is supportive and encouraging. In class there’s laughter – hard work all the time – but also laughter. We are 100% in each other’s corner and it’s a real boost to our morale.”
Would you recommend Rock Steady Boxing to others?
“Absolutely! Parkinson’s is a progressive disease and research has shown that exercise helps slow the progression. So instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, we’re doing something – we’re fighting it and that gives us hope, and hope is so important,” added Lyn. “When I’m hitting the boxing bag, I pretend it’s Parkinson’s, and I’m giving it a good shot!”
“And for us here in La Porte County, Big & Loud Therapy and Rock Steady Boxing are both offered right here at The Crossing,” shared Lyn. “It just couldn’t be any better.”
Start-up funds for the Rock Steady Boxing Program at Northwest Health – La Porte were provided by the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte.