This amazing family has been a part of our program for years. They always come to class ready to help with smiles on their faces, and are ready to push the fighters with tough love. I wanted to spotlight the Monroy Family: 3 Generations Fighting “Together”.
Jeff is a fighter in Kimberly Berg’s Rock Steady Boxing program. He is a retired Director of Product Development in the high tech industry where he managed hardware, software, and mechanical engineers and technicians. He also consulted and taught at the college level, and coached high school girl’s lacrosse. He’s now fully retired, except for assisting with ongoing home projects delegated by his wife G.G., a retired Interior Designer. Before retirement she worked with both commercial (such as hospitals, offices, etc.) and residential clients. G.G. enjoys volunteering, and has helped at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and now Kimberly Berg’s Rock Steady Boxing program. Jeff’s daughter Tracy, a realtor, and her daughters Brittney and Erika (Jeff’s granddaughters) are also volunteers with our program.
The family’s main reason for volunteering is for Jeff, but they also feel good helping other people with Parkinson’s disease move in a positive direction. “The classes give everyone a mental lift, no matter how bad they feel at the start,” said G.G. “We feel fully empowered to somehow beat PD. I love to watch the improvement of the fighters in class each week. Everyone with same diagnosis, yet with different symptoms, sharing their experiences too (all with empathy and not sympathy)”. Tracy and her girls love spending time with Jeff, G.G., and the fantastic energized group of fighters! “This class makes me feel motivated, energized, and happy!!” said Tracy.
Jeff and G.G. also open up their beautiful home and amazing garden every year for our group’s summer party. Their invitations say, “We get together because we are all family.”
“This is an incredible upper to have total family support in beating PD,” says Jeff. “They support me not only in class but everywhere else too, with diet, exercise, cheering me on, and just being there at any time. They are always positive and upbeat in case you haven’t noticed. This is a family trait handed down to me from my family and friends, and we have carried it on through our entire family.”
Jeff says the class always makes him feel more positive and upbeat with no barriers in beating PD. It also makes him feel empowered to gain back all that he had lost initially, physically and mentally. It makes him be more competitive with himself, and it pushes him to continue improving his coordination, balance, and strength.
“I enjoy talking with others. We encourage each other to do better, and if someone has down day, helping them in any way I can. Having a ‘kick ass’ Coach drives us all to do better all the time.”
G.G. says this class has helped Jeff on multiple levels, both physically and mentally. “There is a big difference in Jeff’s overall performance from when he started the classes. Both of Jeff’s doctors (his primary physician and movement specialist) are surprised at progress that he has made.”
Their daughter Tracy said, “It brought together the family of PD fighters that made my Mom and Dad realize they were not alone in the battle, which in turn helped the rest of the family and friends. My Dad is a very disciplined person, and being with Rock Steady and Kimberly has helped him stay focused and positive!”
Are you ready to fight back and join a Kimberly Berg Rock Steady Boxing Class? Click here to schedule an evaluation today!