There’s a Crisis that’s happening in the Canadian Parkinsons Community. According to Parkinsons Canada, in 2021, 100,000 people in Canada have been diagnosed (that we know of) with Parkinson’s. With this number increasing by 30 people tomorrow and 50 people a day, over the next 10 yrs. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is one of the fastest growing neurological diseases in Canada, and the world. This crisis is NOT GOING AWAY. It is especially felt in Atlantic Canada. With a lack of resources and access to those resource in Atlantic Canada, and the fact that Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disease, that specially targets the areas in the brain that control movement. THESE FACTS ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNING! Concerning for Atlantic Canada’s already taxed, and short staffed Health Care system. Not to mention those who are diagnosed and live with PD daily. With the long wait times to see Neurologists, and other specialized staff, plus a lack of funding, and EDUCATION. This means an INCREASED RISK to caregiver burn out. IT IS AS IF THERE IS NO HOPE.

With the progressive effects of Parkinson’s:
Depression freezing lack of focus, side effects to medications decreased independence, increased fear and shame from the symptoms PD and medicationslost connection with friends, social isolation, lack of understanding from family and friends who don’t understand what people with PD are going through, decreased ability to think clearly, stiffness of muscles, decreased ability to perform activities of daily living, slowness of movement, decreased voice, a lack of support groups that easy to access, poor handwriting, increased risk of falls, and IF YOU HAVE BEEN RECENTLY DIAGNOSED, You have no idea where to TURN TO for DAILY SUPPORT AND HELP!

BUT THERE IS HOPE! There are Passionate people out there, who WANT TO HELP YOU FIGHT BACK DAILY.

To give you back the POWER THAT PARKINSON’S HAS AND IS STEALING FROM YOU!!!!

My name is Lita Mae “Badass” Button, better known as Coach Lita with my weekly Rock Steady Boxing group, and clients I have been leading and help fight back with extreme success the last 7 years.

You can click hereand see what one member Mansureh has to say.

If you are not familiar with the Rock Steady Boxing Program. This the Coles notes about the program.

‘Rock Steady Boxing was founded in the United States in 2005 and is a unique program that gives Parkinson’s patients a chance to fight back against their invisible adversary. By emphasizing gross motor movement, balance and core strength, the combination of “sweet science” and sweat gives hope to those combating the disease. There are over 400 Rock Steady affiliates all over the world helping Parkinson’s disease patients have better days, one punch at a time.’

I was the very first Rock Steady Boxing Certified Coach in Canada, and helped launch the first affiliation in Canada with the Rock Steady Boxing Toronto East program.

You see I know what it’s like to live with a family member who has an incurable condition, and feel anger, and a lack of hope at what is happening to you, and your family members. At 23, I became a sole support mother to my son Kiya. When my son wasn’t even a year old he was diagnosed with severe Hemophilia B, a rare life long blood disorder, with no cure. At 25, I sought out an outlet to help me effectively deal with the emotional issues of being a single parent and raising a child with a blood disorder. It was then that I began training in Olympic Style Boxing. This was the time that I earned the nick name “Badass” Button, training and winning the first light welterweight Golden Gloves title in Canada. I have been boxing for 19 years, and in that time I have fought in 45 Amateur Fights and have a Professional Boxing record of 1-1.

Throughout those years of competing and raising my son, I have earned a degree of BScN in Nursing and obtained my licence as a Registered Nurse. I gained four years of experience as a Geriatric Nurse in mental health and long term care. In that time frame I have also completed a number of certifications and hands on experience with different personal training clients and groups. Then In June 2017 I was voted women’s best fitness and wellness coach by Fab Female Entrepreneur awards, in the greater Toronto area.

With my long term care and mental health nursing experience, I saw the very end stages of Parkinson’s and knew that there was something more that could be done that didn’t just include medication and a revolving health care system. This is when theRock Steady Boxingaffiliation opportunity came along. It has been such an incredible impactful program.

You can click hereto view what Martha, from Martha and the Muffins has to say about being with the program since we began in Toronto.

But you see, with my experience in Long Term Care and working work with couples and families outside of the Rock Steady Boxing program I know how much families want to help their loved ones.

This is why I am LAUNCHING Passion 4 Parkinson’s Training Camps. There is a need for those living with, and their family members to learn how to work together to FIGHT BACK AGAINST PARKINSON’S.

With my years of experience I have put together a program that combines my experience with theRock Steady Boxing method, clients, geriatric nursing, different exercise modalities, and helping families learn the tips and tricks and techniques to help their loved ones with a quality of life.

Learning and working together as a family on how to live and fight back against Parkinson’s helps you Hope, Connect, Support and Understander one another better.

My dream is to have a fully Fitness and Farming retreat space that is safe, supportive, uplifting, and healing. That is accessible year round on the beautiful location of Newfoundland. The emphasis at this facility will be on hope, healing, using movement and animal therapy.

Helping those living with physical and mental limitations understand that they can move past these perceived limitations.  To finish this 2023 fundraising campaign strong. Coach Lita, and the Button Adventures Goat Gang will be hiking, and running across the Newfoundland Hiking the 900 KM Railway from September 18th to October 2nd, 2023.  With the goal to help lead, motivate and inspire those in Atlantic Canada to move past their perceived mental limitations.  

To help give back world wide on what boxing has given me. I am spreading the word and techniques of boxing, that has the potential to save lives.

I have boxing videos, tips, and techniques I am sharing on Youtube @buttonadventures. I am asking that anyone benefiting from these videos, and upcoming fundraising campaign. Help contribute to my goal as a coach to raise $250,000 by October 2nd, 2023 to begin building a facility that can help up to 20 people at a time.

This year long facility in Newfoundland will have seasonal guests who specialize in Parkinson's care, research, and movement development.

Thank you for your your support!