Many young people fall victim to Parkinson’s disease and enter a vicious spiral as they take medication to contain the symptoms which cause their symptoms (shaking hands, loss of concentration) to become more and more evident and finally cause them to lose their confidence and even their jobs.
Miho and Akemi are providing an innovating service to Parkinson disease patients.
Using a system that was developed in the USA (Rock steady boxing), they are coaching classes where the patients do physical exercise and manage to slow down the development of the disease as they can keep control of their body movements without recurring to medication. Boxing is kind of an excuse to perform physical exercise and facilitate communication with instructors and other patients.
Rock steady boxing is a wonderful method and is generating amazing results. Patients are receiving a great benefit both physically and psychologically.
Many patients experience a partial handicap but are perfectly performant in most of the activities. Nonetheless, if they disclose their condition most of them lose their job, victims of self doubt, non-flexible working environments and power-harassment.
The next challenge (and here is the role of Kobe Mastermind) is to support the Parkinson`s disease patients also on the economical/financial side.
The designers, IT experts, business consultants within Kobe Mastermind can help and coach Parkinson disease patients to start a freelance business that fits their needs and boosts their capabilities and experience. The aim is to provide those patients not only with financial independence but also with an activity that maintains their self esteem and can flexibly adapt to the evolution of the disease minimizing their emotional and economic stress.