LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (NCC News) — A new wellness facility opened its doors in Liverpool today. Empower Parkinson, formerly known as Rock Steady Boxing, has expanded to a larger facility and increased the number of programs they offer to help improve the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s.
The message is to empower people with Parkinson’s disease to fight back and maintain their functional abilities. Treatments can help manage symptoms, and one main treatment is exercise.
“You could think your life is over if you think you’re going to sit in a chair in your house for the rest of your life, and it’s not like that anymore. And this program especially offers so many different options,” said Wellness Center patron Susan Rosselot.
Over 4,000 Central New York residents are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and over 100 are diagnosed annually. The executive director of Empower Parkinson Patrick VanBevern, said the need for the services has only increased.
“Something we fight against is people looking at the diagnosis of Parlinson’s disease as an end-of-life diagnosis,” said VanBevern. “There’s lots of life after Parkinson’s, your diagnosis of Parkinson’s, and a lot of people will come to us a year or two in and say, you know, I’m in better shape now than before I got Parkinson’s.”
The new facility offers boxing fitness classes, pedaling for Parkinson’s, support groups, yoga, and nutrition advice. Boxing helps patients with their fine motor skills.
“This is the first kind of facility of its kind here in the area. It is. And there’s no similar one, you know, anywhere above Manhattan, so it’s a pretty big deal,” said VanBevern.
This marks a new chapter for Parkinson’s care in Central New York, providing long-term support and resources for those living with the disease.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: There’s life after Parkinson’s: new CNY center offers hope and strength.
Jackson Cowen: In Liverpool today, the fight against parkinsons continues. Our own Jill Schumacher is live at the brand new wellness center. Jill?
Jill Schumacher: Today, a new Wellness Center opened its doors and is the first of its kind here in Central New York. In Central New York, over 100 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every year. While Parkinson’s is not curable, the work being done at Empower Parkinson is giving people like Susan Rosselot a new outlook on their diagnosis.
Susan Rosselot: You could think your life is over if you think you’re going to sit in a chair in your house for the rest of your life, and it’s not like that anymore. And this program especially offers so many different options.
Schumacher: Empower Parkinson’s outlook is to empower people with Parkinson’s disease to fight back, to maintain their functional abilities, and to age well. Treatments can help manage symptoms, and one main one is exercise.
Patrick VanBevern: The first time a person with Parkinson’s comes here, the first thing they say to us is all those people have Parkinson’s, you know, they can’t believe they’re doing what they’re doing, moving what they’re doing.
Schumacher: What started in 2017 as Rock Steady Boxing, a non-contact boxing fitness program that helps those with parkinson’s build strength. Has now led to this moment, cutting the ribbon and opening Central New York’s first parkinson wellness center.
VanBevern: All we are doing here, where just looking at what the We’re just looking at what the community needs and trying to respond to that need
Schumacher: This center offers various exercise classes, support groups, and social events. This marks a new chapter for parkinson’s care in Central New York, providing long-term support and resources for those living with the disease. Empower Parkinson just wrapped up their opening day. Creating a new community for those with parkinson’s in Central New York. Live in Liverpool, I’m Jill Schumacher, NCC News.