Val Muse is back, and her story is nothing short of empowering. When we last spoke with her, Val was navigating the early stages of Parkinson's disease, harnessing the power of the LSVT Big physical therapy program to manage her symptoms. Fast forward to today, and Val's journey has led her to the high-energy punches and uppercuts of Rock Steady Boxing. In this intimate conversation, she's here to share how this program has not only ramped up her physical strength but also instilled a mental resilience that's redefining her approach to life with Parkinson's.
Imagine stepping into a community that fights not just with gloves, but with unwavering support and shared determination. That's the reality Val found in Rock Steady Boxing in Victor, NY, where each jab and hook carry the weight of her indomitable spirit. Val's experience is a powerful testament to the idea that engaging in the activities you're passionate about is a potent prescription for enhancing one's quality of life. She's discovered a newfound vigor and a morning routine that starts with purpose and promise. Join us as Val's infectious enthusiasm punches through the perceived limits of Parkinson's,
Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE
Check out our website www.safeathompt.com
give us a call at (585)398-6050
or send us an email at robin@safeathomept.com
Thanks for listening!
Val Muse is back, and her story is nothing short of empowering. When we last spoke with her, Val was navigating the early stages of Parkinson's disease, harnessing the power of the LSVT Big physical therapy program to manage her symptoms. Fast forward to today, and Val's journey has led her to the high-energy punches and uppercuts of Rock Steady Boxing. In this intimate conversation, she's here to share how this program has not only ramped up her physical strength but also instilled a mental resilience that's redefining her approach to life with Parkinson's.
Imagine stepping into a community that fights not just with gloves, but with unwavering support and shared determination. That's the reality Val found in Rock Steady Boxing in Victor, NY, where each jab and hook carry the weight of her indomitable spirit. Val's experience is a powerful testament to the idea that engaging in the activities you're passionate about is a potent prescription for enhancing one's quality of life. She's discovered a newfound vigor and a morning routine that starts with purpose and promise. Join us as Val's infectious enthusiasm punches through the perceived limits of Parkinson's,
Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE
Check out our website www.safeathompt.com
give us a call at (585)398-6050
or send us an email at robin@safeathomept.com
Thanks for listening!
Hello, I'm Robin Barclay and I'm here today with Val Muse. Welcome, val Thank you.
Speaker 1:Val was here with us a little over a year ago, and your, I have to say your podcast is one of the number one hits that people check out, and I think because the title of that podcast is, uh, taking your meds. You, you learned about taking your meds on time and what a difference that made. So so, since a year ago you have finished your physical therapy. We did the LSVT big program and then you matriculated right into the rock study boxing program that we have here in Victor, New York. So just tell us, how are things going, what are what have you noticed and what, what are you experiencing?
Speaker 2:Well, things have gone really well. I mean, even I've always been an exercise person, but with this program it just seems like I'm just feel like I'm getting stronger, I feel like I have a choice on what to do with my Parkinson's and not just let it happen and and actually I don't even think about it every day because I just feel a lot stronger and I feel confident that of the things that I can do and that there's things I can use do to fight back Right. So there's a big difference in in your, your mental state as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, sure, absolutely To know that you're doing something that's going to make a difference. Tell us how long ago you were diagnosed again.
Speaker 2:Well, I was diagnosed in March of seven of 19 and for a long time I just didn't do anything. I was told about support groups and about the and that's so much the rock study boxing a little bit about it, but mostly support groups, and I'm just not one to sit around and complain, and not that they complain, but you know, to zero in on things that are wrong with you, I'd rather be proactive.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 2:I've always done that and just to try to change things. And it's just really changed everything. It's just changed my outlook. It's changed the way I look at Parkinson's. I know people now that have it and that they live with it every day and it's it's just changed my whole outlook on on what I can do to fight back.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it's. There's a big camaraderie among the people who come to the classes Like family. Yeah, because you know, even though everyone's experience is a little bit different with Parkinson's, you're you know you can share. You can share what your things that you found helpful, and that's a huge part of coming to class. So when you were first diagnosed did were you told to see a speech therapist or a physical therapist or have any assessment or anything?
Speaker 2:No, I was just told that the the, the kind of Parkinson's I had, I can let go a long time. They were talking 10 years without really having any problems. But I thought, you know, I mean I really need to do something to help myself. Yeah, I actually a couple of different times I saw the rock study boxing when I finally called and and the best part about it is is that you're evaluated and you see what you, what you can do, and and the other part about it is you notice a difference with everybody. Now that we know people here and it's a part of our family, we know people that you know where they started the diagnosis, where they've come from since then, and it's just so different. Everybody is so, so different.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and hopefully that's changing now, the fact that hopefully that when people are newly diagnosed they're getting a recommendation to see a physical therapist that specializes in Parkinson's, because by the time you're diagnosed you know 60% of the dopamine producing neurons are depleted and you something has taken, you, something has made you go see a neurologist, so likely it's someone's noticed you're not moving your arm when you're walking or you're slowing down and having trouble keeping up with people, or maybe you've noticed tremors. A lot of times the motor symptoms show up after the non motor symptoms. So you're, they found that people who are newly diagnosed are already at an increased risk for falling. They're taking more steps to turn their. It's taking them longer to turn. Turns are a big reason why people have falls and they're they're slowing down. You've already slowed down.
Speaker 1:So it's so important that you go as soon as you're diagnosed so that you can have an evaluation and do a program like LSVT big or PWR moves, which can help recalibrate your movement and your walking speed so that it doesn't progressively get slower and smaller, and then to matriculate into a program like rocksteady boxing or we have a PWA moves class here. We have a cardio cognitive class. We're doing a dance class in February with one of our PTs who has a history of dancing. So there's so many things that you can do. Tai Chi is a great class to get into. There's so many things that you can do, but it's so important to have that assessment early on so that we know what the deficits are. Then we make the goals and you're discharged from that. You've met your goals and you go off into a program.
Speaker 2:And then connections.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And so here we have a trainer and we have physical therapists that specialize in Parkinson's, that lead all the classes so they can keep an eye on you. You know, val, hey, I've noticed this or I've noticed that. Why don't you follow up and have another? Val? I recommend at least a physical therapy evaluation every six months just to keep you on track and catch things before they become a problem. We don't want you to have a fall and then come back. We want to keep you. You start at a certain level and you move up and you graduate, and then we want to keep you up there and maybe even with the classes. Now that you can work harder and move better, you can exercise better.
Speaker 2:So yeah, Well, I think when you come into the diagnosis and there's hardly anything going on and the carbonylopah levodopa, you know, helps with your symptoms and your tremor, things like that, I think that you kind of disregard the part about having to exercise and having to fight back you know, they just start like oh yeah, yeah, you're okay, you're okay, you can go a little farther.
Speaker 2:You know you want to see anything going on for a while, instead of saying, you know, maybe down's the time to get right into something physical. So you know you can have something to work with.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, most people, when they, if they respond well to the carbodopa, levodopa, they then they feel better and then you can, like I said before, you can move better and you can exercise better and you can fight the disease or you can, you know, slow the progression and because you're working harder, you're able to get up to that point where you're sweating and you're moving better and and unfortunately you become healthier against.
Speaker 2:You know, for you know you become healthier because of it and not on your own. You know it's because of the reason is because you have Parkinson's Nat. Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know right.
Speaker 2:So I think that it's kind of a blessing in disguise, I mean, if you got to look at it at all like that. I think it's something to say oh yeah, okay, Well, now I can start being a better person, being healthier, moving better, and it's amazing. It's just amazing to transition.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I say like people in our classes a lot of them, especially in our morning class they are in much better shape than other people their age who do not have Parkinson's Correct.
Speaker 1:And we use age norms as a guideline when we're working towards goals, like with our such stands. We look at how many sits, that like the 30 seconds to stand tasks, like what is it for your age group people without Parkinson's and that's what we strive for is to get you there. So we're really so. Yeah, I, I that morning class, even in some people in the afternoon class, that's. They're in better shape than I am because they're coming in here three days a week and they're working hard.
Speaker 2:You know, and at any time when you're having a problem with something, you can either learn a different way of doing it to work with that muscle, or or say you know, and I really need to take a break. Can we do some, you know, rehab or whatever evaluation on it because it's not working for me. So I think you always have that option. It's always open.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, because we do have people that stop the class for a little bit. Come back in the PT for various, I mean, because people with Parkinson's can have orthopedic issues, and so we actually have instead of waiting for an appointment, with an orthopedic going in there telling them the whole story.
Speaker 2:I mean you have an immediate presence. You have immediate situation where you can work with?
Speaker 1:Yeah, we can take a look and say you know what we think you need to get. We'll get a scan for that. You need to follow up with an orthopedic sooner than later, or we can try and work with you and, you know, communicate either with your neurologist or your primary care so that they're on board with every part of the whole care team.
Speaker 2:Yeah, when you have Parkinson's.
Speaker 1:So absolutely that's important. So, yeah, we have a speech therapist that we work closely with it folks came in.
Speaker 2:That did the EBS information and it was something that I never knew. I mean, I'm sure that other people never knew how that really went. You just heard the words and said I don't know if that's for me, you know, but I mean it's wonderful, it was something to keep in your back pocket, whatever, if you need it. Yeah, that's the deep brain stimulation. There is a window for that.
Speaker 1:So I think we're going to have them come back and do another talk, right. And then we also have the support group, which a lot of people go to in the finger.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, I want to catch that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so there's a lot of supports work. I just did a talk the other day at a meeting for people who serve the aging population and one of the speakers there was from the movement disorder clinic and she was speaking on some of the Michael J Fox research. So even at the U of R and the local area we keep we have fliers all over the place about research that they're doing so people can stay on top of that. So we try and keep connected so people can get all the information available to help them. You know, change the trajectory of their disease.
Speaker 2:Correct. Yeah, so I mean, after a year that I've been here, it's been, it's been amazing. I mean, like I said, the confidence that I have of being able to fight and knowing different ways that I can go, and neurologist issues and you know physical issues for sure, but you know, you have the answers, you have different directions, you can go and you don't have to just sit and wonder what's going to happen.
Speaker 1:Right. So you're taking medication three times correct.
Speaker 2:And I have no drop off of symptoms, or not really you know, I mean here right, right. I never notice it, you know so I think I'm still really good.
Speaker 1:Good, you know in that factor.
Speaker 2:But I mean, even if a person, even in a more advanced position, I think it's just as important you know to start really early and then maybe it won't happen as soon. Yeah, with the different symptoms.
Speaker 1:And so what else do you come to the boxing classes? What else?
Speaker 2:do you do at home? I do. I go to Silver sneakers on Monday with my husband and it's really kind of just a movement kind of thing. It's really, you know, nice. I walk my dogs and pretty much. That said, I was walking like four miles a day at the at our local school. But when I was walking I knew that I was getting the exercise but I wasn't having anything to do with the upper body strength. Now I mean, it's incredible the changes that I have with still with the networking as much, but with the lower body muscles and stuff like that.
Speaker 1:So but things have.
Speaker 2:Just I mean it's incredible. I mean I brag to everybody, I have your cards, I've given your cards out quite a few times. I mean I just, I just can't say enough about it.
Speaker 1:It's just been, it's been more than I'd hoped for. That's so nice to hear. You've been great. You had the magnet on your car.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, oh, I saw that. Yeah, you saw it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you were at a medical appointment that comes here had a magnet on it.
Speaker 2:Well, first I thought it's so far away.
Speaker 1:It's 42 miles from me, from my home and I thought, oh, I'm not going to do that. And then I saw it again and I'm thinking, you know, I probably should be doing something like this and I was really intrigued about the boxing.
Speaker 2:So then, when I finally started it, I was just like you know, I'm in. I mean, I get up on Wednesday and Fridays and I'm like this is what I do and nobody else. Yeah, it just. It just makes you feel good, it makes you be with your friend. You know you're with your friends, with your family and you're learning things all the time. I mean, you're learning. You know that you can do stuff. You know you don't have to just a big and and not worry about it or worry about it, you know.
Speaker 1:So yeah, Wow, is there anything else you want to share with us now?
Speaker 2:No, I think that's about it. I just was really excited to share my experience within the last year of the you know, rock city boxing and wanted everyone to be to know that it's really one of the best things that I've done.
Speaker 1:Yeah, great, and just to, just to clear the air, you're still taking the same amount.
Speaker 2:Correct, I'm still on the same. No, not at all. Awesome, all right, well, thanks so much for coming back.
Speaker 1:All right, thank you, okay, okay, bye.