I love exercise because it has so many benefits.
But for some, exercise can be especially important
to keeping them on the road to health.
Just as Ed McCaskey Junior.
- I've always been pretty active, started with 5K's
and worked my way up to, eventually, to the marathon level.
Afterward that's where satisfaction comes in
after a good workout.
- [Narrator] But about 10 years ago, Ed got some serious
news about his health from his doctor after complaining
of limited flexibility in his right hand.
He said, "I think you may have Parkinson's Disease."
Had a followup session with a movement disorder
specialist who confirmed Parkinson's.
Found out it's causes are unknown, it's progressive
and there is no cure.
And that combination of news was rather startling to me.
- Parkinson's Disease is when certain cells in the brain
start to degenerate and die.
They're the dopamine producing cells so the brain,
dopamine is involved in movement.
One of the most commonly sought after consultations
in the office would be for a tremor.
Then declining balance, multiple falls,
stiffness of the muscles, lack of expression,
a feeling of sadness or apathy or depression.
- [Narrator] While there's no cure for Parkinson's Disease,
there have been many advancements to improve quality
of life for the patients.
- It's a multidisciplinary approach,
medications to enhance the dopamine that is lacking.
Exercise is also as important as your prescription.
And you can see the improvement, it's remarkable.
Right alongside of your medications you should think
about a good exercise program, be guided and trained
by good therapists because you have years ahead of you.
- Research has recently shown that individuals with
Parkinson's who exercise on a regular basis
can possibly slow the progression of their disease.
- [Narrator] Ed took that to heart and joined the class
program at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Health
and Fitness Center.
- The exercise classes are free for those with Parkinson's.
We really want to focus on flexibility, aerobics,
strength, and resistance so that they will experience
improved gait, or walking, improvement in balance,
and just improvement in their overall daily activities.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday there's a peddling for
Parkinson's class.
I do weight training, running.
There is no cure, but you do have a say in how you're
gonna deal with it.
- Exercise is for over two and a half hours per week,
it improves the joint stiffness, it improves the posture,
it improves the muscle weakness.
- [Narrator] Those are benefits Ed noticed as he made
targeted exercise a regular part of his week.
- Parkinson's symptoms, they seem to be greatly reduced
after a good workout.
More alertness, more flexibility, my gait has improved.
The benefits kind of carry on for the balance of the day.
- [Narrator] In addition to the physical benefits,
Ed says the program has provided him a sense of
community with others who are also living with Parkinson's.
- There's a comradery among the group,
it's almost an informal support group type of environment.
- Ed is a very dedicated individual to exercise classes.
He is in the classes, he works out regularly and he,
in turn, also encourages other participants who are
in the classes with him.
- [Narrator] Ed hopes to inspire others living with
Parkinson's to start exercising and take charge
of their health.
- The benefits are real, I haven't seen any significant
decline.
Find a class that's suitable to your level ability
and get over there and get moving and the payoff
with be there, guaranteed.
- It's never too late to start exercising.
Exercise right now is the best thing that they can do
to help manage their symptoms.
- The goal is to keep ahead of the Parkinson's Disease
and by doing a good exercise routine you have
nothing to lose and everything is on the positive side.
Do something about your circumstances.
- I just love that, thank you so much for sharing your
story, Ed.