Frank's Story: Preserving Mobility With Parkinson's Through Exercise

Frank Delfino was diagnosed with Parkinson's six years ago, but he found a way to prolong his mobility. Delfino visits Cone Health Sagewell Health & Fitness four to five times a week to exercise and to participate in a Parkinson's class lead by Karen Simmers, a Cone Health Wellness Instructor.

Frank's Story With Parkinson's Disease

Frank Delfino, a 66-year-old resident of Greensboro, was diagnosed with Parkinson's six years ago. Initially, the disease made it difficult for him to move and caused significant fatigue. He struggled with daily activities like emptying the dishwasher, making the bed and getting dressed.

Despite these challenges, Frank decided to take control of his health through regular exercise.

The Role of Exercise in Managing Parkinson's

Karen Simmers, a wellness instructor at Cone Health, emphasizes the importance of exercise for people with Parkinson's. She explains that the disease affects people in many ways, including reduced mobility.

Karen leads a dedicated Parkinson's exercise class at Cone Health Sagewell Health & Fitness. She teaches participants how to stretch and move their bodies to maintain mobility. Her classes focus on large, powerful movements to counteract the tendency toward smaller motions that Parkinson's may cause. She also focuses on regular exercise to improve strength, flexibility and coordination.

Frank's Commitment to Exercise

Frank attends classes at Sagewell Fitness Center four to five times a week. He credits regular exercise with helping him manage his symptoms and maintain his independence. Thanks to his dedication to fitness, Frank can now perform his daily activities and maneuver his body more easily, which improves his overall quality of life.

Frank believes that consistent exercise is key to managing Parkinson's symptoms. He compares it to learning a skill like dancing or playing tennis: "You keep doing it, you get the rhythm, and you become better at it."

Encouraging Others to Stay Active

Frank and Karen both encourage others with Parkinson's to stay active and participate in fitness classes. They believe that moving regularly can help people with the disease maintain their mobility and live more independently.

As Karen puts it, "If you don't move, you won't move." This simple yet powerful message underscores the importance of exercise in managing Parkinson's disease.

Supporting Your Health at Sagewell

Sagewell's exercise classes are designed to support individuals as they manage their conditions and improve their overall health. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, consider joining our fitness class or exploring our other wellness services. Learn more.