HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Parkinson's Disease and boxing? They may seem like an unlikely pair, but for hundreds in the Tennessee Valley, they're a perfect match.
Carolyn Rhodes brought the Rock Steady boxing program to Huntsville after her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. She has a background in physical wellness as a personal trainer and working with seniors rehabbing in their homes.
In February 2016, her husband Jim Rhodes was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
Besides therapy, boxing was recommended to Jim to help combat symptoms.
Rock Steady Boxing is a worldwide organization that offers boxing to those with the disease, but there was not a location in Huntsville, so the Rhodes brought it to the Rocket City.
"I just said hey, if he needs this, so to other people," Carolyn said.
They started off with fewer than 10 members and have now served 400 people with Parkinson's.
The Rhodes say that boxing has been a blessing and Jim has not had any recent severe symptoms because of Rock Steady Huntsville.
Meet Jim Rhodes, AKA Jimmy Joy Boy
How often do you box?
I box three days a week. So I have three classes 90 minutes at a time. And I coach two classes
What did you think when you were told boxing would help?
I didn't know anything about Parkinson's. Other than what you see, you know, the first guy who mentioned that said, you were a special forces in the army, I said, yeah, he said, well, boxing will be good for you. And I said, well, can I hit people and he's no you can't hit people. And I said, well, darn.
Did you ever feel discouraged with having Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinsons is a lonely disease and you feel like you're the only one that has it. I just know there's times when I get discouraged and what Parkinson's is, what you see is people shaking and so on, like that is about is the tip of the iceberg. 90% of Parkinson's is underneath the water, and you can't see the depression, anxiety, a lot of gastrointestinal issues.