Rock Steady Boxing empowering those with Parkinson’s disease

JANESVILLE — Bonnie Cunningham, 88, slipped on her boxing gloves and delivered a powerful hook under the watchful eye of her instructor, Connie Udell, during the Rock Steady Boxing: Knock Out Parkinson’s Disease program at Cargill United Methodist Church on Wednesday.

Udell, SOL Fitness & Personal Training owner, brought Rock Steady Boxing to Janesville in honor of her mother who had Parkinson’s. Rock Steady Boxing was the first non-contact boxing program founded in Indiana in 2006.

Even after being personally affected by Janesville’s recent tornado, Udell still took the time to lead the class. She is staying in a hotel because her house has flood damage and a hole in the roof. There were at least 10 trees that had fallen into her backyard and a few in the front.

“I was sitting on my porch, just crying, when a lady approached me and asked if I needed help. Next thing I know there’s a bunch of volunteers helping us clean up our house,” Udell said.

Paul Williams, city council member, and Dave Marshick, city council president, were on scene helping with clean up, Udell said. She dedicates her time to helping people live better lives, which is why she continued the program even after her home was damaged.

“It’ll improve your confidence, decrease the severity of PD (Parkinson’s) symptoms, reduce fear of falling down, allow you to perform daily activities more efficiently, understand your physicality better, and improve self management and perform activities that many of us take for granted like climbing stairs, entering the vehicle, simply standing up and walking across the room,” Udell said.

The program is part of Looking Up, the health and wellness ministry at Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Ave. In efforts to increase wellness, it provides monthly blood screenings and educational events for the public. This month, they brought awareness to Parkinson’s disease and how high-intensity exercise can help.

Udell presented information regarding those affected by the disease, their symptoms and what can be done to manage them. Besides medication, voice therapy and deep brain stimulation therapy, exercise is praised as a large component for those trying to manage their condition, Udell said.

“You’ve got to push yourself along to get that intensity that you need, and that’s part of what Rock Steady Boxing does,” Udell said.

Before the boxing began, guests participated in a mini demonstration of core exercises such as reach, step, turn and up exercises (RSTU) and voice and sound exercises. Guests could stand or sit while copying Udell to stretch arms wide, turn their heads and open their fingers.

“Somebody with Parkinson’s needs to have big movements. Big movements end up going to the brain,” Udell said. Afterward, guests participated in a word association game. One person started with a word, such as “banana,” and the next person would say a word associated with that.

“That can be harder than you think,” Udell said.

Parkinson’s can cause speaking and swallowing difficulties, which is why voice exercises are vital. “Le le le, bae bae bae,” repeated guests to get an idea of voice exercises.

Working the muscles in the face and working on volume control is also crucial for those with Parkinson’s, Udell said.

“It could’ve been progressing in the body for a decade or more. Almost every Parkinson’s person knows they have it, but it doesn’t seem official until a diagnosis from a doctor,” Udell said.

Udell brought along two clients who have Parkinson’s. Cunningham, from the greater Beloit area, and Tim Scholten, 65, of Beloit.

“Parkinson’s doesn’t kill people. You don’t die of it — you die with it,” Scholten said.

Before the demonstration, guests learned different boxing techniques such as hooks, uppercuts, jab-crosses and shuffling their feet.

Udell wore boxing mitts while Cunningham demonstrated a hook for 30 seconds. Cunningham has been doing the class twice a week since 2018.

“This class provides a lot of motivation for people to exercise. Exercising for Parkinson’s is like insulin for a diabetic,” Cunningahm said.

Scholten put on his gloves and demonstrated an uppercut for 30 seconds. He’s been taking the class twice a week since 2017.

“Using Connie’s services is the best way to fight Parkinson’s,” Scholten said. “I was looking for a savior, and that’s what it did.”

Community member Deb Kline Tollefson volunteered to try out the gloves and earned a large cheer from the crowd as she lifted her hands in success.

“These people have to deal with this everyday and this class shows you a peek into their lives. I really love people and being active, so I go to many public events,” Kline Tollefson said.

Braden Borgerding, 19, of Milton came to the program to support his mom, Kris Borgerding who helps run the health and wellness ministry.

“I thought it would be a nice class,” Braden said.

In Janesville, boxing classes are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursdays at Udell’s studio, 2100 E. Milwaukee St. In Beloit, boxing classes are at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Big Hill Park, 1201 Big Hill Court.

Each class is $12 or $120 for a punch card with one free class. Caregivers are welcome to join.

“We have lots of fun, and it’s all for a reason,” Udell said.

Udell also facilitates a Rock County Parkinson’s disease support group that meets across the area from Fort Atkinson into Roscoe, Rockton and Rockford, Illinois. The group meets once a month and allows folks with Parkinson’s and their caregivers to come together, share stories and participate in activities.