As promised, I am focusing this article on my Personal Trainers, Kate Spack and Mike Barrs. In a previous article, I shared my frantic search on the Internet for exercises I could do for my Parkinson's Disease (PD). It was three years before Boxing 4 Health opened its doors, and I didn’t want to join a big gym as I was self-conscious about my symptoms.

I phoned around to see if any of the gyms would send a Personal Trainer to my house. Luckily, I found one. They sent me this bubbly, positive, incredible young woman named Kate Spack. The moment I met her, I knew I was in good hands. She has a gentle yet inspirational aura (if you will). I now count her and her partner in life and business, Mike Barrs, as good friends.

Kate quickly discovered the exercises that would help me the most. She has been my Personal Trainer for 10 years, and Mike has been my other Personal Trainer for two years. They modify my exercise program according to how I feel and whether my symptoms have progressed. They have improved my balance, strength, endurance, flexibility, and mobility. I genuinely believe that I would not have been in a place to join the boxing gym if I hadn’t had them in my corner.

I see them twice a week, and I will continue to do so for as long as I’m able or when a cure for PD is developed. Next time, I’ll delve into the world of running and Parkinson’s.

Dianne Bramble is a Registered Nurse in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She left nursing and got her certification in Health Coaching, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Personal Training. Dianne’s focus is on people with chronic conditions like Parkinson’s. She’s 55, married with two kids, a dog, and a horse. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in September 2013. Her blogs will focus on mental and physical health.