(Lander, WY) – A unique partnership is bringing an innovative new approach to exercise for Parkinson’s people and their caregivers this January.
The Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies reached out to the Wind River Parkinson’s Group this past fall and offered their assistance with setting up a Power Punch program. Teton Therapy subsequently agreed to implement it.
Hawk Cain will incorporate physical training and boxing. A therapy technician, Cain has been boxing for the past 3 1/2 years, first in Laramie and currently with the Lander Boxing Club under the guidance of Erik Declue.
Cain is new to the Power Punch Parkinson’s program, but he says “I’m always looking for a challenge!”
On Tuesday, January 6th, at 2 pm Cain and Julie Adelmann from Teton Therapy will come to the Wind River Parkinson’s Support Group at the Lander Senior Center to demonstrate and answer questions. This January 6th program will also be available via Zoom.
Then on Monday, January 10th, the classes will begin and both Parkinson’s people and their care partners can go to Teton Therapy to try it out.
“We have been reading for years about the value of non-contact boxing for people with Parkinson’s. It helps with reflexes, cognition, maintaining flexibility, and is also fun,” says Marjane Ambler, volunteer coordinator with the Wind River Parkinson’s Group.
The Lander Senior Center has hosted the group since it was founded in 2014 by the late Terry Wehrman, John Laird, Carol Harper, and Ambler.
Although there are no statistics for how many people in Wyoming have Parkinson’s, the disease is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world, outpacing even Alzheimer’s Disease.
Prior to COVID-19, the Wind River group has attracted as many as 30 people from as far away as Dubois and Thermopolis.
For more information, plan to attend the support group meeting on January 6th at 2 pm at the Senior Center in person or via Zoom.
For more information, contact either Marjane Ambler at windriverparkinsons@gmail.com or Julie at Teton Therapy by calling 307-330-3093 or emailing jadelmann@tetontherapypc.com. Or visit the Wind River Parkinson’s Support Group Facebook page.