B.C. seniors take up boxing to knock out symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Joanne Williamson had been trying to get her husband Patrick to exercise in order to manage his Parkinson's disease when she finally came across a fitness class she knew he would like.

"Boxing is really recommended for people with Parkinson's. So is dancing," said Williamson, with her husband by her side.

"However, it's a lot easier to get your husband to go boxing than to go dancing."

For the past four years, the Williamsons have been going to the Odd Fellows Hall in Ladner, B.C., to participate in a boxing class for seniors with Parkinson's disease. 

The classes of about 10 participants are run by Carm Fulford, a former competitive boxer who has been part of the sport for about 40 years. 

Fulford, who has a history of Parkinson's in his family, says he started the classes after he began teaching at the hall in 2019. One of the participants in his class for adults explained he had the disease and had enrolled to help manage his symptoms. 

Two weeks later, a few more people with Parkinson's joined in and Fulford started a separate class for them. 

"They're extremely happy when they come, when they go. And to me, that's everything," Fulford said. 

Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder that affects the nervous system. Symptoms include shaking or tremors, stiffness and difficulty with balance. According to Parkinson's Canada, more than 100,000 Canadians live with the disease and 30 are diagnosed with it every day. 

Jean Blake, CEO of Parkinson's B.C., says boxing is an excellent way for people affected by the disease to manage their symptoms. 

"It's terrific exercise," Blake said. "It gives people aerobic exercise. It improves their balance, their strengths, their agility — all things that people with