EAST HARTFORD -- On World Parkinson's Day, a Connecticut man shared his story about a unique program that’s helping him cope with the disease.
Mick Ruggiero was diagnosed at 38 years old, seven years ago. Since then, he has been instrumental in bringing an international boxing program called "Rock Steady" here to Connecticut. It's for people fighting Parkinson's disease, the progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement.
Right now, Bare Bones Boxing in East Hartford is the only place in the state offering the program. Owner Stan Tompkins heard about the program from a good friend of Mick’s and wasted no time getting certified. It’s been offered since August. Mick was the first fighter, and now there are 25.
Ruggiero said, “I tried going to the gym on my own and I was self-conscious how I moved and how people looked at me sometime. Here, everybody knows what's going on and everybody supports each other.”
Tompkins said, “You get resistance from hitting the bags, cardio work from moving around, and strength, just overall body strength. What an inspiration. I get more out of it. They give more to me than I could ever give to them. They’re my fighters.”
Ruggiero said he's witnessed miracles in his boxing group. One in particular, is the development of a man who at one point could barely walk. “First time I saw him break into a little jog was just amazing. I saw him doing push ups the other day. It's just incredible. It just makes you feel like if he can do that, then I can too,” said Ruggiero.
Word is starting to get out about this program. Krisine Lajeunesse, of Always Best Care Senior Services, works with Parkinson’s patients and is impressed with stories like Ruggiero’s. In fact, all proceeds from an annual senior citizen dinner dance her business puts on will go to Rock Steady. It’s being held Saturday at East Catholic High School in Manchester from 4-7 p.m.
If you want more information about Rock Steady, you can go to www.barebonesboxing.com