www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 7 Most importantly, Day added, “the classes empower people with Parkinson’s to fight back with hope and laughter. They learn to walk better, fall better and feel better while increasing rotation and improving their balance.” “It has been a positive experience for me,” said Brian Swan, who once raced sailboats. He has attended RSB “pretty steadily” for the last five years. “Before diagnosis, I used to do my own workouts. I even had a strict regimen of exercises that included running,” he added. “Then I started to notice that I didn’t have the same stamina.” Lack of stamina when he knew he was in shape was one of the earliest red flags that went up for Brian; when he was 60, he learned that he had Parkinson’s. “I didn’t stop exercising. I didn’t have to because of Rock Steady,” he said. “Keep moving remains my mantra. Motion is the potion – that’s life.” Brian and Lyn join many members of the Wellness Center family who know that in addition to the practical health benefits of RSB, the program offers an invaluable sense of community. It is not uncommon for Lyn to corral women who participate or volunteer for classes to go out to lunch or for happy hour. “Within this community of women, we are life jackets for each other,” Lyn said. “We are part of a group of people who really understands Parkinson’s and being a caregiver for someone with Parkinson’s.” When Brian first received his diagnosis, the couple was unaware of the many benefits of the MUSC Movement Disorder Center, Lyn explained. The discovery of that Center led them to Rock Steady Boxing. It was an added bonus that the Wellness Center and RSB were right in their backyard. “Our experiences with this program and around the city make me think that it was by the grace of God we were placed here,” she said. “We can’t always know exactly what to expect, but we do know that when participants leave the Wellness Center, they leave with friends,” she added. ◆ Learn more: Cindi Day • [email protected] VOLUNTEERS WELCOME A significant part of the Rock Steady Boxing program’s success is its pool of volunteers. Often, MUSC interns, especially physical therapy interns, serve as volunteers for the twice weekly program. Other times, participants’ spouses or significant others donate time. Anyone is welcome to contact lead RSB coach Cindi Day to learn more about volunteer opportunities. Lyn Swan wouldn’t miss a chance to help her husband, Brian, and others RSB participants. Watching him rise to the challenges and enjoy the community fills her with immense pride. “The best part of the program is the people involved,” said Brian. “The coaches, my fellow patients, who have become family, and volunteers. Everybody watches out for each other and makes the activities fun. Without that, I wouldn’t go as often.” “Lots of interns return to volunteer because they find the time so rewarding,” Day said. “Everyone who helps out knows the challenges participants face, and we all want to be part of their hope.”
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