Get into the ring with Rock Steady Boxing

As a kid, I did a little recreational boxing at the YMCA in Kellogg. But I was conflicted. While it was OK exercise, I didn’t like hurting other boys, and I didn’t like getting hit hard either. So I didn’t box much. It was more fun to watch on TV than to do it for real.

For decades, I have scoffed at boxing for its violent nature. But 15 months ago, I happened on a video that spoke of a boxing program that significantly helps people with Parkinson’s disease

I’ve begun to view boxing through a wider lense — a lense that includes the therapeutic benefits of boxing. Ironically, one of the greatest boxers of all time may be “to blame.”

Muhammad Ali’s boxing career likely resulted in his developing Parkinson’s disease. The damage to his brain in the ring caused CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a progressive degeneration of brain tissue. His symptoms began as slurred speech in the late 1970s. Still, he kept boxing.

Ali’s Parkinson’s diagnosis occurred in 1984, so he lived with it for 32 years before his death in 2016.

He and his doctors apparently weren’t always convinced his disease was caused by boxing. Yet many other people see ample evidence for the connection.

In 2006, a new therapeutic effort to combat Parkinson’s disease was introduced in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s called “Rock Steady Boxing.”

The program was begun by two close friends, Scott Newman and Vince Perez. Scott was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in his early 40s. Vince was a former Golden Gloves boxer, who wondered if the physical activity of boxing might impact the neurological damage of Parkinson’s.

It certainly doesn’t cure Parkinson’s, but it can significantly slow down the symptoms, and may even reverse some of those symptoms. Wow!

Earlier this week, in my research for this column, I came upon a new TV story from February 8, 2019. The reporter is long-time CBS reporter Leslie Stahl. She interviews participants and coaches at a Rock Steady Boxing session in New York City. One of the participants is Leslie’s husband, Aaron Latham. Check it out, and prepare to be very impressed.

Leslie spoke to one of the coaches about Muhammad Ali. I paraphrase: “If Ali’s Parkin-son’s was caused by boxing, how can boxing be a therapy to slow Parkinson’s down?” The coach replied simply: “Our people don’t get hit. They do the hitting, the bags and the coaches.”

After I saw that first video on Rock Steady Boxing in late 2017, I mentioned it to AC and Pamela Woolnough.

They looked into the program, got very excited, and have been prime supporters for the brand new RBS therapy program just started by Bonner General Health. This RSB is the newest of three in Idaho. Lewiston and Idaho Falls also have RBS.

Now for an unapologetic promotion of next Tuesday’s Geezer Forum. AC and Pamela Woolnough will be our guest resource persons. They will introduce Rock Steady Boxing to everyone who is able to join us, 2:30-4 p.m., February 26, in the Community Room at Columbia Bank.

The RBS classes began in January in Sandpoint. I strongly suspect we’ll see some video clips from a few of those early sessions, and likely hear some stories about what happens in those sessions.

If you either have Parkinson’s yourself (regardless of your age) or you know someone with Parkinson’s, I urge you to “get into the ring” and learn more about Rock Steady Boxing.

Paul Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training with Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.