Vernon鈥檚 CounterPunch Boxing Club gives to new meaning to fighting. When some of the members strap on their gloves and throw a few punches, they aren鈥檛 just fighting the bag or an opponent, they are battling Parkinson鈥檚 disease.

Vernon boxing coach Antony Stamboulieh has been offering free training sessions in Vernon since 2005. The club, which meets every Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at IRON HEART GYM, is open to people of all ages and abilities. He said the goal is to give back to the community.

鈥淚t caters to children, male, female, elderly and even people who have Parkinson鈥檚 disease,鈥� he said. 鈥淏oxing is a sport that really helps them with their movement and fluency of their movement and gives them energy of the group that is inspiring to see.鈥�

While some attend in preparation to compete, many use it as an opportunity to exercise.

鈥淩egardless of your experience, you will be in a good space and you will find it very friendly and very positive,鈥� Stamboulieh said. 鈥淚 am amazed at the level of participation [of the individuals with Parkinson鈥檚 disease]. Their effort is always 100 per cent. They do not shy away from any exercise I set up and I believe it really does help people.鈥�

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Parkinson鈥檚 disease causes a loss in many of the same elements that boxers work to improve. Medical research has shown that forced, intense exercise, like boxing, can reduce, reverse and delay Parkinson鈥檚 symptoms.

鈥淚 started out with the Parkinson鈥檚 boxing class and it went on for about a year or two. Tony asked us to come and have a look at this class and I have a good workout here. It takes your mind off it and increases adrenaline 鈥� it鈥檚 still there but it takes your mind off of it,鈥� said Gary Tancock, a Parkinson鈥檚 patient and CounterPunch attendee.

Though many participants are younger, completely healthy individuals, some of whom are even training for competition, but that doesn鈥檛 prevent any fun from being had.

鈥淯ntil a few months ago, I hadn鈥檛 had boxing gloves on since 1963,鈥� said Walter Wallace, who does not suffer from Parkinson鈥檚 but does have circulation problems. 鈥淣eedless to say, we鈥檙e the seniors but the really wonderful thing about this group is that you have young men and young women boxing and having a great time with us old guys and it鈥檚 just so much fun.鈥�

Stamboulieh encourages anyone interested to attend the training Monday and Wednesday nights at IRON HEART GYM, at 5400 24th Street in Vernon.

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