My name is Kazuya Ochi and I am a physical therapist for foreverfitness, where I have the privilege of working with people living with Parkinson’s (PWPs). I grew up in Columbus and attended the University of Cincinnati. During my freshman year, I had the opportunity to volunteer for Sarah Palmer at foreverfitness. Prior to this, I had no knowledge of Parkinson’s disease. I became totally entranced with Parkinson’s-specific exercise. I was completely surprised with how tough the workout was and how much fun the people were having, and I was impressed at the science behind the exercise. This kind of exercise was more than what we expect from a traditional workout. Learning about PD-specific exercise was truly a transformational experience for me. I felt that I needed to be a part of it. I started as a volunteer and here I am 9 years later! It was the best decision I’ve made to be a part of this community.
What have I learned? I have learned to truly understand that everyone is different. In Parkinson’s everyone experiences the symptoms of PD differently. It is so valuable to get to know each individual, to listen to their needs, to take their feedback to heart, and, through this, to allow me to continue to learn and grow. But when I started to apply these principles with intention and purpose to my own life, a whole new world opened for me — a healthier physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual lifestyle. Working with PWPs has taught me to strive for more. I get to work daily with people who are going through adversity. The attitude and strength that these people show give me immense power to continue growing as a person
My advice for PWPs? I think it is critically important for PWPs to participate in PD-specific exercises to combat the symptoms of PD with purpose and INTENSITY. In my opinion, 90% of working out is showing up. That’s the hardest part. From personal experience, it has helped me in my own fitness journey to have a workout buddy, someone with whom to share a degree of accountability. I encourage PWPs to get to know others with PD. Find a community that fits your needs and commit to it for a specific amount of time. There are so many amazing communities to be a part of if you look in the PSW website! You don’t have to be motivated or excited every time you exercise. It’s just important to show up and try your best. That’s a great opportunity to start making some positive changes in your life. One of my favorite quotes is by Confucius, “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” Small “wins” turn into big changes.