HOLDING
STEADY
Rock Steady Boxing Northeast PA improves
quality of life for people with Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease was not going to
beat Gary Brzuchalski.
Five years ago, Mr. Brzuchalski was
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a
progressive nervous system disorder
that affects movement. The disease’s
symptoms begin gradually and can
progress to the point where movement
slows or there is
stiffness in the
body.
Owner Kathy Reap opened
her flagship location in Old
Forge after her husband was
diagnosed with Parkinson’s
disease. Using her background
as a physical therapist, Ms. Reap
researched ways to keep the disease
from progressing.
“Since my husband had only just
been diagnosed and his symptoms
were minimal, I wanted to find
out what we could do to slow
this disease down rather
than wait,” she said.
“I discovered there
were several options for
someone who was just diagnosed with
the disease and I found out about
Rock Steady Boxing. I was amazed at
their approach and success. I just knew
that if I created a location here, there
would be a need in the community.”
“We are
As the music
a family
director and an
active volunteer at his
here...”
church, Mr. Brzuchalski’s
movement slowed in the
time since his diagnosis -- until he
discovered Rock Steady Boxing
Nor theast PA.
“Left to my own devices, I just don’t
think I’d be exercising like this,” he
said. “The fact that we’re all in this
together means a lot to me. From the
day I walked in, I could tell this is what
I needed to be doing. If I wasn’t doing
this for the past two years, it’s hard to
say how much more Parkinson’s may
have progressed or taken from me.”
With three locations in our area,
Rock Steady Boxing Northeast PA
is a non-contact, boxing-inspired
fitness program specifically designed
for people with Parkinson’s disease.
4 • The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
Along with boxing drills, classes at
Rock Steady Boxing Northeast PA
include core and strength training, as
well as static and dynamic stretching
and balance and coordination
challenges. Ms. Reap also ends each
class with a cheer to motivate the
boxers and to help build camaraderie.
She also offers post-class sessions
where these boxers, all whom have
Parkinson’s, can get together and
discuss issues they face as they learn
to live with their disease.
“We have people all the time telling us
about their success stories,” she
said. “We had a boxer come back and
tell us that his primary care doctor
found his health had improved. For
a progressive, chronic neurological
disease, you always assume the person
will get worse, but with this program,
we are seeing that people’s symptoms
are improving.”
Ms. Reap says that participating in
Rock Steady Boxing Northeast PA
helps people with Parkinson’s take
control of their diagnosis. While
she encourages them to remain in
constant communication with medical
professionals, this helps them do
something to fight the disease’s
progression on their own while being
supported by others who are going
through the same thing.
“We are a family here,” she said. “I am
thrilled we can help so many people.
The need has been great, and we will
continue to help as many people as we can.”
Rock Steady Boxing Northeast PA has
locations in Old Forge, Scranton,
and Tunkhannock.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
WWW.RSBOXINGNEPA.COM.