The Sparks of Life Jewish Center for Parkinson’s has opened its doors in Rockland County to service the Jewish Parkinson’s community in many surrounding areas including Westchester, Orange and Bergen counties. Located in Pomona just off the Palisades Parkway, SPARKStudio offers a movement therapy program designed to fight the progressive symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The goal of the program is to help people with Parkinson’s regain their confidence and learn the power of commitment and responsibility to their health and wellbeing.
SPARKStudio offers a variety of classes for both men and women created by top movement disorder specialists. Classes such as Gyro-Kinetics, music and voice, boxing and osteo-strength target physical symptoms while providing the social framework for emotional support. The objective of the program is based on studies that show that exercise coupled with a healthy diet and adequate rest can reverse and delay many effects of the disease.Instructors not only try to address each individual’s specific physical needs, they provide all-encompassing support for members as well as their families and caregivers.
Thousands of testimonials from people with Parkinson’s have proven that motivation and exercise is the winning combination for an active and productive life with PD. One Sparks member who joined the program this past winter saed, “The Sparks movement class not only lifts my ability to move but also lifts my spirits. It’s a fun class but its benefits are quite serious.” Another member who joined in the spring, taking four classes a week, said, “The Sparks boxing class really challenges me physically and the Gyro-Kinetics class challenges me mentally. I need them both.”
Susan Lust, director of Sparks of Life and a dance therapist, sees the change in people’s physical abilities as well as their overall demeanor after just a few sessions. One member, who spent years as a creative writing teacher and who had enjoyed writing poetry since she was a young child was struggling with an inability to put words to paper. Clearly distressed, she started taking classes at SPARKStudio, and within three months she began to compose poetry, recalled Lust.
Accomplishments like this are happening regularly and mean so much to members and their loved ones. One member, who prefers to remain anonymous, believes the program is life-changing. “It’s so good to know there is someone as dedicated as Rabbi Gruskin out there advocating for Parkinson’s patients. Fighting Parkinson’s is a difficult-enough battle; with Sparks of Life we can now be successful warriors.”
The program has been acclaimed by many doctors and experts in the field of Parkinson’s disease. “I am thrilled to support Sparks of Life as a vibrant and energetic partner in our fight against Parkinson’s disease. It is a wonderful organization, serving a terrific role in the Orthodox Jewish community for patients and their families,” commented Dr. Steven Frucht, director of movement disorders at NYU.
Elizabeth Pollard, executive director of the World Parkinson Coalition, praises the organization and hopes it will offer new opportunities for the Orthodox community. “Sparks of Life is serving a community of people touched by Parkinson’s that, until 2013, had no resources. What they’ve done in a short few years since opening their doors is just astounding and shows great kindness and care for others. It’s a good reminder that a small, dedicated group of thoughtful people can change the lives of so many. By teaching people with Parkinson’s that there are things they can personally do to improve their lives and that they are not alone goes a long way. The WPC is thrilled to count Sparks of Life among its organizational partners and looks forward to watching them continue to serve their community and grow, until a cure is found for Parkinson’s.”
Sparks of Life is a non-profit organization founded by Rabbi Moshe Gruskin who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease back in 2009. At the time, it was hard to face the reality of what the future held. Unfortunately, within four years his symptoms had progressed and he found himself living life as an invalid. This prompted him to seek professional guidance and educate himself about the disease. Understanding the benefits of exercise, Rabbi Gruskin implemented a physical regimen that included simcha dancing in his basement every night. Today he looks and feels like a new man,and is passionate about creating awareness within the Jewish community to better the lives of those challenged with Parkinson’s.
Currently there is no charge to become a Sparks member and attend classes. The fervent goal of the Sparks team is to educate and empower the Jewish Parkinson’s population and de-stigmatize the way the world looks at people with this diagnosis. Most of the people who come to the center for classes engage in life’s daily activities, and with these programs their capabilities improve, helping them return to productive, purposeful and fulfilling lives.
To learn more about Sparks of Life, please contact Channi Feuer at [email protected] or call 845-377-3781.
By Andrea Nissel
