Indiana State Coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   - IN 05 (317) 845-0494

Indiana State Coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  - IN 05 (317) 570-0545

Unsure of which congressional district you live in?  Click here to find out!

Indiana advocates at the PAN Forum

Click here for a listing of Parkinson's Support Groups in Indiana.

ABC World News Follows PD Fight

             When Kristy Follmar stepped into the ring at the Indiana State Fairgrounds’ Pepsi Coliseum for her first professional fight in 3 years, she was fighting for Parkinson’s and Rock Steady Boxing (RSB). She also had a cheering crowd of supporters, including a crew from ABC World News and people with Parkinson’s. Kristy said, ‘It felt like they were in the ring with me. I wanted to win for them … I wanted to win big”. Win big she unquestionably did! 

            Kristy’s scheduled opponent for the fight was unable to get to Indianapolis due to inclement weather. The promoters were scrambling to find a replacement. The #8-ranked woman in Kristy’s weight category, who lives in northern Indiana, agreed to fight but only if it was an exhibition fight (no judging and, therefore,  doesn't count as a win or loss).  Even though there was no official judging, the unofficial judges give the win to Kristy's corner. Kristy has a 15-1 (9 KO) record and is a formidable opponent.

             ABC World News with Charles Gibson was also intrigued by the story. The film crew attended Kristy’s fight on Tuesday, February 26, and the RSB classes on Saturday, March 1. They filmed and interviewed for several hours and did a story that aired on March 5. The story brought national attention to the gym. Immediately after the story aired, RSB received phone calls and emails from across the country. Everyone wanted more information about this inspirational program.

             The inspiration comes from Kristy, Scott Newman and Vince Perez. Kristy Follmar is a world-ranked professional boxer, trainer and Executive Director of Rock Steady Boxing. Scott Newman, ex-Marion County prosecutor and current Director of Safety for the Indianapolis area, is the founder of RSB which opened in October, 2006.  Scott also is a co-founder of Young Parkinsons of Indiana, a local support group for people with young-onset Parkinson's disease. Vince Perez is a devout friend of Scott’s, attorney, trainer, Golden Gloves champion and Vice President of RSB. Vince convinced Scott to start boxing. They found that over several months Scott’s Parkinson’s symptoms decreased as did his medications. They wanted to share their victory over Parkinson’s with other people and hired Kristy to make it happen.

              RSB offers free, boxing-based fitness classes in Indianapolis to people with Parkinson’s. Approximately 70 people with Parkinson’s participate in the weekly classes. The program is supported almost solely through donations. For questions or to make a donation, contact RSB at 317-223-2970  or go to www.rocksteadyboxing.org. To view the ABC World News video, go to www.youtube.com and search on ‘Rock Steady Boxing’.

               Free classes are held on weekdays and Saturday mornings to people with Parkinson's. Additional classes are offfered  for a fee to the following groups: women, young girls and executives. For more information on Rock Steady Boxing, go to www.rocksteadyboxing.org and check out the following media coverage

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4396505  <---ABC News (If no longer available, go to www.youtube.com and search on 'Rock Steady Boxing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRpK3N1t8xk <-- Promotional video by Kristy Follmar

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/10823367/detail.html <-- WRTV6 - click on text below picture and wait thru ad 

http://nuvo.net/articles/punching_out_parkinsons_at_rock_steady_boxing_gym/ <-- Nuvo magazine

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 25, 2008 - Stomp Out Parkinson's Disease Walk - Evansville - The Stomp Out Parkinson's Disease annual walk will take place in Evansville, IN on Saturday, October 25, 2008. Proceeds go to the Unity Walk in NYC. For more information contact Karen at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or (812) 424-2887.