When retired physician Jonathan Lessin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than 20 years ago, he went looking for a climbing gym that would let him on the wall. He heard no again and again. Then Molly Donelan-Cupka at SportRock Climbing Centers in Virginia said yes. That yes grew into Up Ending Parkinson’s, a nonprofit that now serves 1,300 climbers at 72 locations nationwide.
The physical case for it is getting stronger. A study conducted with the National Institutes of Health found that participants in the climbing program improved their mobility and balance. Climbers also report gains in strength, cognition and mood. Lessin describes it this way: “When you have Parkinson’s, your world becomes smaller and you make smaller movements. And when you get on the wall here, you can just stretch out and when you get to the top, you feel fantastic.”
For Suncoast families, the story raises a bigger question. Parkinson’s affects more than 10 million people worldwide, and cases are expected to reach 12 million by 2040, which means more of our neighbors, parents and grandparents will be looking for ways to stay active and connected. Experts say anyone considering a climbing program should talk to their neurologist first. What kind of programs would you like to see here at home?
