I’ve always been someone who enjoys learning how the brain works. Living with cerebral palsy has made me curious about anything related to the brain and movement. But I never expected to be invited to join a YMCA program designed for people with Parkinson’s disease. At first, I was scared to participate because I didn’t know much about Parkinson’s. But then I thought, what the hell, and decided to try it. What I learned surprised me—our disabilities are more similar than I ever imagined.
A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog called “My Path to Peace Starts at the YMCA – Our Beautiful Challenges”, where I talked about ending my week with Tai Chi and meditation. Then I wrote “Fire Up Mondays – Our Beautiful Challenges,” describing how I kick off my week at the YMCA. So, what happens during the rest of the week? Well, besides my Monday and Friday routines, I’m also there on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a class called Movement for Parkinson’s Disease.
I don’t have Parkinson’s, but I do have cerebral palsy—and this class has been surprisingly perfect for me.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
For anyone who may not know, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, coordination, balance, and sometimes mood and thinking. It develops when the brain cells that make dopamine—a chemical responsible for smooth, controlled movement—begin to break down.
Despite being different conditions, Parkinson’s and cerebral palsy share some similarities. They’re both neurological, and both benefit from similar types of physical activity. Many of the exercises in this class support balance, reflexes, strength, and overall mobility—things that help both disabilities in many of the same ways.
What Is Movement for Parkinson’s Disease?
The program teaches that “physical activity seems to slow the disease process, decreasing pain associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Exercise through gentle, deliberate movements can help prolong independent mobility, improve sleep, mood, memory, and overall quality of life.”
Every month, our instructor changes up the routine, but we consistently focus on balance, mobility, stretching, and—even unexpectedly—voice work.
You might be wondering, Why voice?
As Parkinson’s progresses, many people experience softer speech. When I learned this, I joked with the class that I’m the complete opposite—my voice gets louder as I get older because of cerebral palsy!
Some months, we move through 30–40-second stations designed to target different mobility challenges, like bending, balancing, sit-to-stands, core work, and light weights. Honestly, it feels a lot like the physical therapy I grew up doing.
More Similar Than Different
The more time I spend in this program, the more I see the parallels between Parkinson’s and cerebral palsy—not just in symptoms, but in how movement improves them. The workouts benefit both conditions in incredibly similar ways. And even though we all come from different experiences, we move together with the same purpose: to stay strong, stay mobile, and stay connected.
In many ways, this class has become another part of my beautiful challenge—a reminder that movement isn’t just physical. It’s a community. It’s courage. It’s learning. And it’s choosing to show up, even when you’re scared.
OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES 