'Punching Out Parkinson's' gala will include dancing, amateur boxing
Oct. 31—Rich Mushinsky has seen firsthand the positive effect that boxing workouts can produce in people affected by mental and physical disabilities.
Mushinsky is the owner of Fit 4 Boxing Club, with gyms in Murrysville and Hampton's Allison Park neighborhood. In addition to serving as a workout location, both gyms also take part in programs that work specifically with clients affected by Parkinson's disease and Down syndrome.
"We change people's lives," said Mushinsky, a Hampton resident. "I have seen people rise out of wheelchairs and overcome their walkers or canes."
One such person is Dr. Michael Bell, a retired ear, nose and throat doctor with Parkinson's who was working out in the same gym as Mushinsky in 2014.
"He started working out with me, and I started to notice that his Parkinson's symptoms were improving," Mushinsky said. "We looked into it, found out about the Rock Steady Boxing program, and I decided to go and get certified."
Mushinsky was among the first 35 gyms in the country to enroll in the program, which provides a noncontact boxing-style fitness program to improve quality of life, personal efficacy and self-esteem.
Bell's progress in particular was inspiring to Mushinsky, and on Nov. 12, the sixth annual Dr. Michael Bell Punching Out Parkinson's Fight Night Gala will take place at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Harmar. Proceeds will benefit current and future Rock Steady Boxing participants.
Rock Steady was founded in Indiana in 2006 by a former Marion County prosecutor, Scott C. Newman, with Parkinson's. Newman developed the program with former boxer Kristy Follmar. Today, it operates out of more than 870 affiliate locations worldwide.
Clinical studies cited by the American Parkinson Disease Association showed anecdotal evidence of health benefits from participating in the program. Mushinsky said he has seen it in person.
"I've seen people walk who never thought they'd do it again," Mushinsky said. "People in their 60s, 70s and 80s strap on a set of boxing gloves, fight back against their disease and can rekindle a new life with their families."
The gala will include dinner, dancing and several amateur boxing matches. Monroeville boxing promoter and trainer Derek Gionta, who has organized recent boxing cards at the Shrine Center as well as in Murrysville and Washington, will bring a group of amateur fighters to compete at the gala.
"Derek knows all the local fighters and trainers," Mushinsky said. "We'll have some guys from here, and guys coming from the eastern side of the state, from Harrisburg and Philadelphia."
Tickets range from $50 to a $190 VIP package and can be purchased at either Fit 4 Boxing location (5549 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville and 4706 William Flynn Highway in Hampton) or online at Fit4BoxingClub.com/gala-event.
Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter .
