The world would be a better place if it took a page from Nancy Ginkens’ book on eternal optimism.
“Well, I woke up this morning, and I can tell you that’s a great way to start the day,’’ said Ginkens, a 75-year-old upbeat gem with an always-shining personality.
“All my days are good, some are better than others, but they are all good. I owe so much to Emma (LeClaire) and Rock Valley (Physical Therapy). The work, my exercises, have been great, and the (Parkinson’s) support group has been wonderful.’’
For three years, Ginkens, ever the optimist, has battled the ins, the outs, and the ups and downs of Parkinson’s. The ups, she says, is an active, forward-moving lifestyle she boasts while benefiting from physical therapy with LeClaire and Rock Valley.
“When I don’t keep up (with her prescribed exercise program) is when I struggle with strength and balance,’’ Ginkens said of the downside of Parkinson’s. “When I do what I’m supposed to, life is better.’’
It is well-documented that physical therapy plays a positive role in bettering the lives of those dealing with Parkinson’s, a neuroprogressive disease for which there is no cure. Physical therapy and exercise have the ability to slow the progression and symptoms and help a person maintain their mobility and quality of life. Research also shows physical therapy and exercise are just as beneficial as medications that are aimed at slowing and assisting with symptoms.
Such has been the case with LeClaire and Ginkens since they began working together in 2021
“I worked with Nancy for quite a while; she made tremendous progress in PT, and I eventually discharged her,’’ said LeClaire PT, DPT, Clinic Manager at Rock Valley’s Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based PCI-ENT clinic. LeClaire earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from St. Ambrose University.
Ever-dedicated to “Making Better Lives,’’ LeClaire is LSVT Big certified. LSVT Big is an intensive, effective, one-on-one treatment created to help people with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. Backed by 20 years of intense research, LSVT Big incorporates a bevy of specific exercises and training that has been shown to significantly improve Parkinson’s symptoms including strength, mobility, balance, coordination and other activities of daily living.
“Nancy came back to me because she began noticing it was harder to get her left leg into her car along with some loss of strength, difficulty walking, and balance concerns,’’ LeClaire said. “I worked with her again for several months until she reached all her goals, and all of the above had improved significantly with therapy.’’
Rock Valley’s Parkinson’s Support Group has played a major role in bettering the lives of those dealing with Parkinson’s, Ginkens included.
In 2021, LeClaire and Chrs Cass (PT, DPT, LSVT Big), implemented the support group at PCI-ENT at the request of its sister group at PCI Neurology and its physicians.
The group meets twice monthly for eight months (spring/late summer/fall) on Thursdays, from noon-1 p.m., allotting 30 minutes for support and information talks on topics that impact the Parkinson’s patient population. The final 30 minutes is dedicated to exercise featuring a variety of activities including strength, balance, coordination, boxing, Tai chi, yoga, dancing and more.
“The support group is so important to all of us,’’ Ginkens said. “It’s important that we have a place to share the good and the bad, to learn more about what’s out there. The exercise is a bonus.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller