Helping people punch out Parkinson's is the mission of a specialty gym in Lackawanna County that's dedicated to empowering people with the disease and helping them fight back against it.
It all ties into Rock Steady Boxing Northeast PA which was started by Kathy Reap in August. Kathy has been a physical therapist for 30 years. Her husband John was diagnosed with Parkinson's a year and a half ago which was her inspiration to start the gym. Rock Steady Boxing Northeast PA is part of a national program headquartered in Indianapolis.
The local gym can be found at 1 Maxson Drive in Old Forge (behind the high school football stadium). The facility provides people with Parkinson's a way to use a non-contact, boxing inspired, fitness program as a way to help minimize the symptoms of the disease. Parkinson's is a chronic neurological disorder that causes slow movement, rigidity, and tremors.
Rock Steady Boxing works with people of all ages, men and women, at any stage of their Parkinson's disease. You can also see more of the program from a recent Healthwatch 16 story here.
QUICK FACTS:
- WHAT: Rock Steady Boxing Northeast PA
- WHY: Empower people with Parkinson's disease and help them fight back against it.
- COST: $80.00 dollars a month for unlimited classes. It's typically not covered by insurance because it's considered a fitness program.
- WHEN: Classes are 90 minutes long and are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6 p.m.
- CONTACT: Kathy can be reached at 570-817-4307 or email her at RSBoxingNEPA@gmail.com.
(Appointments are required because classes are confidential. Before clients start, Kathy does an individual assessment to determine a person's baseline of abilities and appropriate class placement).