- by Bill Moses

There has been an amazing new advance in the fight against Parkinson's Disease. It is not just coming down the pipe. It is here right now - in Owen Sound!

I am talking about the Rock Steady Boxing program at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre sponsored by a partnership of The Owen Sound Family YMCA and Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario.

Boxing involves a vigorous exercise program to prepare a person to get into the boxing ring. Knowing that one has a fight ahead of them gives one the motivation to prepare for it. To be sure, if one is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, they know that is the case. The program is non-contact and specifically designed for people with Parkinson's Disease.

I have some knowledge of what is involved. I did go out for boxing at Hart House when a student at U of T - a very very long time ago. I remember most doing a number of exercises employing all my muscles, improving my coordination and building up my stamina but most importantly it was on a gradual basis. If it was push ups for example, it was 10 the first day, then 11, 12. This extended to the number of times you ran around the track and so on. It was also my introduction to the skipping rope. Most important of all I was a person from a small town away from home and this positive experience helped me to acclimate myself to my new environment. It is a much more severe challenge to be diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Yet with Rock Steady Boxing, one has the opportunity to face this challenge head on.

The primary purpose of this epistle is to encourage people, either recently diagnosed or not, to step up to the plate and in the words of Walter Gretsky cry, "I've got Parkinson's but Parkinson's doesn't have me."

Parkinson's Society Southwestern Ontario in this area is leading the fight to provide support to help people with Parkinson's do that. You can support Rock Steady Boxing by making a donation to any of the three WALK-IT for Parkinson's events which will help take the fight to more people and more communities.

On September 9th at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario will be holding their annual local WALK-IT for Parkinson's fundraising event. There will be a Rock Steady Boxing demonstration (as well as Tai Chi, live music, pizza and more!) Registration 1:00 p.m., Walk 2:00 p.m.

Walks will also take place in Port Elgin Kincardine & Area Sunday, September 9, 2018
North Shore Park, Saugeen Shores
Registration 1:00 p.m., Walk 2:00 p.m.
and South Grey Bruce & Hanover on Sept 8th 2018
Hanover Town Park

Registration 8:00 a.m., Walk 10:00 a.m.

I will be joining in the RSB demonstration in Owen Sound and I hope some of you will do so as well!

You don't have to have Parkinson's to attend any of these three events. You may want to register for a walk and raise funds. You may want to make a donation. You may want to just become more aware! We certainly intend for these events to be for the whole community and hope to see you there.