We were amazed at what we were seeing on a sweltering summer’s day, when a group of people with Parkinson’s Disease began rock-climbing on the Carderock Cliffs of Maryland. Yes, rock-climbing!
It’s all part of their therapy, says Molly Cupka, the no-nonsense instructor and cheerleader for this community of courageous climbers.
She started this program, called UpENDing Parkinsons, as a non-profit twelve years ago.
“There’s a lot of balance involved, mobility involved, strength, cardio, and then there’s the cognitive part, where you have to look at the hold, and figure out how to get your body to move to get to that hold,” she said.
How often do they fall? “Falling is definitely part of climbing,” said Cupka. But they never really fall , because they wear a harness that provides a layer of safety. “You’re always on the rope. You fall, but you don’t fall far. We always say if you’re not falling, you’re not trying hard enough!”