Introduction Imagine having a twitch that just keeps going. Imagine that twitch and multiply it by ten. Imagine that twitch in every single muscle; not being able to hold anything still, not being able to eat because the shaking knocks everything off the spoon. That is a reality for Parkinson’s Disease patients. Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive degenerative movement disease that over the years stiffens the muscles and affects balance. This is caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain (What is Parkinson’s?, 2013). While most people are diagnosed when they are in their 60’s, some people are diagnosed as early as 40 (Parkinson’s Diagnosis Questions, N.D.). To know how to care for a person Parkinson’s Disease, the patient and caregivers must
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Physical exercise is important for every person, but it is especially important for people with this disease. Studies show Parkinson’s patients who do regular exercise are able to keep and control their balance longer than those who do not exercise regularly (Lazarus, 2017). There are various exercises that are suggested, including dancing and boxing. Both exercises focus on balance and strength. Miriam King, the founder of Flux and Flow Dance in Columbus, Ohio holds classes specifically for patients with Parkinson’s and their caretakers. “Our dance focuses on balance and fluidity to prevent the dreaded rigidity, which is one of the scary symptoms we all hear about”, King described (King, 2017). Boxing focuses more on speed and strength training. A symptom of Parkinson’s Disease is bradykinesia, which is slow movement. This type of boxing is non contact and safe for these patients. Dancing and boxing are only a few ways to maintain physical well …show more content…
Fox, actor (see graphic 2), was diagnosed Parkinson’s Disease at the early age of 29 (Michael J. Fox Foundation, N.D.). As the symptoms progressed, Fox stepped away from acting and more into his disease. He founded the Michael J. Fox foundation that educates others of this disease and accepts donations to fund research for a cure as well as new treatments. Now being 53 years old, Michael J. Fox is considered “the most credible voice of Parkinson’s research in the world”, (Michael J. Fox Foundation, N.D.), and he shows no signs of stopping yet. The National Parkinson Foundation is another foundation that also spends their time educating and raising money for research. In every state, they have hosted events called Moving Day. Moving Day is a bunch of activities that lead up to a 5k walk. This event is for everyone. The National Parkinson Foundation was founded in 1957 by Jeanne C. Levey. This foundation annually makes over $2 million. Over 60 years time, that would be about $120 million donated to research (National Parkinson Foundation, N.D.). Their impact has been greatly appreciated by
Physical exercise is important for every person, but it is especially important for people with this disease. Studies show Parkinson’s patients who do regular exercise are able to keep and control their balance longer than those who do not exercise regularly (Lazarus, 2017). There are various exercises that are suggested, including dancing and boxing. Both exercises focus on balance and strength. Miriam King, the founder of Flux and Flow Dance in Columbus, Ohio holds classes specifically for patients with Parkinson’s and their caretakers. “Our dance focuses on balance and fluidity to prevent the dreaded rigidity, which is one of the scary symptoms we all hear about”, King described (King, 2017). Boxing focuses more on speed and strength training. A symptom of Parkinson’s Disease is bradykinesia, which is slow movement. This type of boxing is non contact and safe for these patients. Dancing and boxing are only a few ways to maintain physical well …show more content…
Fox, actor (see graphic 2), was diagnosed Parkinson’s Disease at the early age of 29 (Michael J. Fox Foundation, N.D.). As the symptoms progressed, Fox stepped away from acting and more into his disease. He founded the Michael J. Fox foundation that educates others of this disease and accepts donations to fund research for a cure as well as new treatments. Now being 53 years old, Michael J. Fox is considered “the most credible voice of Parkinson’s research in the world”, (Michael J. Fox Foundation, N.D.), and he shows no signs of stopping yet. The National Parkinson Foundation is another foundation that also spends their time educating and raising money for research. In every state, they have hosted events called Moving Day. Moving Day is a bunch of activities that lead up to a 5k walk. This event is for everyone. The National Parkinson Foundation was founded in 1957 by Jeanne C. Levey. This foundation annually makes over $2 million. Over 60 years time, that would be about $120 million donated to research (National Parkinson Foundation, N.D.). Their impact has been greatly appreciated by