April marks Parkinson's Awareness Month as local nonprofit celebrates a decade of service

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- April is Parkinson's Awareness Month, and a local nonprofit is marking a milestone while continuing its mission to support people living with the disease through exercise and community.

John Bowers founded Rock Steady Boxing Central Cal 10 years ago after a chance encounter at a UFC gym with a man who had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and asked for help.

"Through exercise, that's the goal, is just improving people's quality of life," Bowers said.

The program began with one-on-one training sessions and gradually grew into a small group. Bowers said the early interest led him to seek formal training.

"We started working one-on-one. A small group started to form, and in April of 2016, I decided to go get certified as a Rocksteady boxing coach in Indianapolis," he said.

What started with a single participant has become a tight-knit community of people supporting each other.

"Everybody's one big family, you know, and they," said Patty Kirby, a care partner.

"We all have the same problems," said Rad Kirby, who is living with Parkinson's.

"Yeah, you are all dealing with the same problems," Patty Kirby added.

Rad and Patty Kirby have been attending classes for more than four years. Patty Kirby said doctors have noticed measurable improvements.

"She would say, you know, each time I see him do his score, that they give for balance and stiffness, rigidity, you know, that's a little better each time. I know. You know, the exercise is what it's done," she said.

Bowers has also launched the "Exercise for Life Foundation," a nonprofit aimed at helping people who cannot afford specialized classes designed to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.

He leads online classes at the local gym and at the park and even travels to those who can't come to him.

Participants say the workouts combine multiple forms of movement.

"Kind of a mix of it's a little boxing, a little stretching, some yoga moves, some strength training kind of things," Patty Kirby said.

As Rock Steady Boxing Central Cal celebrates its 10-year anniversary this month, Bowers said the focus has always been on maintaining independence and daily joy.

"The mission for just the exercise in general is to improve the quality of life of people. You know, it's, you know, not necessarily the length of life, but the quality of life so that people can still play with their grandchildren, you know, can still go out and have dinner, go on vacation. You know, you want to keep moving so that you can do these things, keep your independence," Bowers said.

Looking ahead, Bowers is planning to attend the World Parkinson Congress Summit in Arizona next month to continue learning and advocating for better care for those living with the disease.

Danyelle Burke North: For news updates, follow Danyelle Burke North on Instagram and TikTok.