Parkinson Community Fitness programs target specific needs of movement disorders

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A local fitness program that encourages a sense of community is helping people with movement disorders.

A local woman who joined Parkinson Community Fitness is reaching out to let others know that the programs can be life-changing for those who have been diagnosed with a movement disorder. One of the programs is a chair yoga class for people of any ability with Parkinson’s or any other neurological condition. So, what is Parkinson Community Fitness?

“It’s a nonprofit. We’re a 501c3, and we provide a place for people to go who have Parkinson’s disease. So, it could be Parkinson’s disease, Parkinsonism, Lewy body dementia, and it’s a place to go for exercise classes specific to Parkinson’s. We have support groups. We have counselors that come in, nurses that come in, and then we have social activities. So, we bring the life back that a lot of people lose to the disease,” said Lisa Coors, co-founder of Parkinson Community Fitness.

Coors and member Moira Grainger recently appeared on “What’s Happening in Health” (5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. Sundays on Local 12) to talk about the programs.

“I have been a member of Parkinson Community Fitness for about two years, and it’s my go-to pretty much for everything. It’s my family, my fitness center, and my community,” Grainger said.

She said it’s the community that makes the difference.

“Those of us with Parkinson’s walk around, and we think it’s all going on inside of us, which it is, but you don’t know how much other people see or what their perception of it. And when we get together as a group, we’re all walking a different path, but we’re all on the same journey, and we can look over at the next person and say, ‘That person has different issues, but internally, they’re facing the same challenges,’ and that’s why it’s so important to have not just the exercise but the sharing,” Grainger said.

Parkinson Community Fitness is on Kenwood Road in Blue Ash. For those who would like more information, call (513) 793-6683. The classes cost $25 a month.