Ala. (WHNT) — A Huntsville nonprofit is celebrating 10 years of supporting people battling Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s Dynamics is a Rock Steady Boxing affiliate in the Tennessee Valley that helps people with Parkinson’s disease manage their symptoms through boxing
On Saturday, a celebration was held at its facility in John Hunt Park to mark its decade in the rocket city
Rock Steady Boxing provides exercise programs for people to manage their Parkinson’s symptoms. CEO Carolyn Rhodes and her husband, Jim, learned about the program after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016
Advertisement
After seeing it’s powerful effects, the couple became certified coaches with Rock Steady Boxing and began offering classes in Huntsville
“We offer exercise, education, wellness and support to the Parkinson’s client and their families. We find that the families need just as much support as the Parkinson’s client,” said Rhodes
Through a partnership with the city of Huntsville, the program grew into Parkinson’s Dynamics
Rhodes said over the years, doctors have sent them close to 1,000 referrals, and they’ve seen almost 600 of them
“We want them to belong. We want them to feel like this is their place. And they say that it is,” she said
Advertisement
One of those clients is Maria Rutledge, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020. She said the nonprofit has helped her tremendously
“I come like four days a week. I participate in five to seven classes, and I feel that it has definitely kept me out of having to use a walker,” said Rutledge
Rhodes said Rock Steady Boxing is like a family for people with Parkinson’s disease, surrounding them with people who are going through the same things that they are
“They’re not always comfortable to go to a big event like this somewhere else, but they know here that people understand them,” said Rhodes
Advertisement
“When you become friends with somebody else who has this shared diagnosis with you, you begin to feel comfortable talking to them,” said Rutledge
Rhodes says the organization is looking towards the future, adding, “I usually come when there’s class going on, and I just stop and watch it, and it just fills my heart, and it’s exactly what we’ve hoped it would be.”
If you would like to donate or volunteer with Parkinson’s Dynamics, visit its website to learn how
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com
