OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — People who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease can face challenges doing everyday tasks.
A program called "Delay the Disease," offered at four Omaha-area YMCA locations, is tailored to help with these movements.
"There is life after Parkinson's, it's just a little different from what you anticipated," Bert Samson told us. She's been taking the classes for four years.
Instructor Emmy Smith is trained to teach "Delay the Disease." She took courses in Ohio where the program started.
"We have a couple areas of focus: posture, balance, controlling gait but also controlling flexibility. But we also do some pretty heavy cardiovascular and strength training," Smith said.
The participants also work on motor skills like handwriting.
And they all talk about the sense of community they develop through the class.
"The people--the camaraderie and the staff and the volunteers here are great. They're angels," class participant George Moon told us.
Samson said, "There's a lot of togetherness because we're all in the same boat."
If you'd like to learn more about the program, you can go to the YMCA's web site.
Here are the locations where the class is offered:
Participating locations:
- Maple Street YMCA: Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm and Thursday 1:00pm-2:00pm
- Sarpy YMCA: Tuesday and Thursday 11:50am-12:50pm
- Southwest YMCA: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00pm-2:00pm
Other Parkinson’s Exercise Classes offered at the YMCA Healthy Living Center!
- Monday and Wednesday 11:00am-12:00pm
- Tuesday and Thursday 4:00-5:00pm
