Capital Region | Capital Health | Summer 2019

4 Capital Region Medical Center D e t er m in e d d omin a te TO “I would highly encourage anyone [with Parkinson’s] to give the physical therapy and the boxing a try. —Linda Strange After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease nearly three years ago, Linda Strange found a way to fight back. Strange, known as Mommo (pronounced Mom-Oh) to her four grandchildren, couldn’t sit back and let Parkinson’s take over her life. She began a program called LSVT BIG, a therapy that trains people with Parkinson’s to use their body more normally. LVST BIG is used as part of prescribed physical or occupational therapy, and it’s customized to each person’s specific needs and goals, it can help regardless of the stage or severity of the condition. “When I got the diagnosis, I did a lot of reading on Parkinson’s,” Strange says. “The first doctor I had did not recommend physical therapy. When I found Dr. Ruthanna Hunter at Capital Region Physicians–Neurology, she suggested the therapy to me, explained how it would be helpful and made the referrals necessary to get me started at the Sam B. Cook Healthplex.” The therapy paid off for Strange. Not only did she see an overall improvement in her walking and balance, but also in her attitude. “I learned from my therapists that you had to work hard against Parkinson’s,” Strange says. “I was determined to do the exercises that were given to me and fight as hard as I could. I still do my exercises at home regularly.” Boxing takes the fight to Parkinson’s Strange attended therapy on a regular basis working with Physical Therapist Brianna Cowley and Physical Therapy Assistant Carolyn Heidbrink. She found the therapy enjoyable and appreciated the kindness of the therapists, but her fight with Parkinson’s became a bit more literal upon graduation from therapy—when she moved on to join the Rock Steady Boxing class.