Tuesday, March 8, 2022: Kerry Howard’s battle with Parkinson’s. Webinars on how to reduce Juneau’s carbon footprint. Rainforest Yoga workshops on how to unlock stress from your body.

Kerry Howard training with Coach Alec Nevalainen in the Rock Steady boxing program at Pavitt’s Gym. Howard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016 (Photo by Matt Brown).

It almost seems counter-intuitive, to fight Parkinson’s disease by putting on some heavy, cushioned boxing mitts and train like a fighter.

Kerry Howard’s training at Pavitt’s Gym involves more than boxing but rigorous physical conditioning exercises (Photo by Matt Brown).

But that’s exactly what Kerry Howard has done to keep this neuromuscular disease at bay. On this Tuesday’s Juneau Afternoon, she’ll be joined by two of her coaches from Pavitt’s Gym, to celebrate her latest accomplishment – the prestigious Optimism Award from the Northwest chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.

“Living with PD is a challenge, but it is a disease you can live with, and for that I am grateful,” said Howard in a statement. “No one knows what the future holds but I believe in being kind, brave, and grateful.  Pessimists may be right more often, but optimists have more friends and more fun.”

Also in this program:

  • Finding refuge, resilience and new ways to respond to life’s challenges in an upcoming Rainforest Yoga workshop.
  • Lowering Juneau’s carbon footprint, as both a community and as an individual.
Rhonda McBride, Producer of Juneau Afternoon

Rhonda McBride hosts this Tuesday’s program. You can catch Juneau Afternoon,Tuesday through Friday, live at 3:00 p.m. on KTOO Juneau 104.3. The rebroadcast airs at 7:00 p.m. on KTOO. You can also listen online at ktoo.org.

 

 

Part 1: Kerry Howard receives 2020 Optimism Award in fight against Parkinson's Disease.

Guests: Kerry Howard, Optimism Award recipient. Janet Valentour and Alec Nevalainen, Rock Steady boxing coaches.
How boxing has been a form of movement that’s helped to keep Kerry Howard strong in her fight against Parkinson’s disease.

Watch her work out at Pavitt’s Gym.

Howard will be honored at the Magic of Hope this Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Alaska time. The Magic of Hope, which is virtual this year, is the American Parkinson Disease Association’s biggest fundraiser of the year. You can find ore information on the APDA’s website: apdaparkinson.org.

Part 2: Yoga therapy inspired by the nature and the sea.

Guests: Djuna Devereaux, Yoga presenter. Katharine Heuman and Theresa Svancara, Rainforest Yoga.
Discovering Dharma, or life’s purpose, through yoga. How Rainforest  Yoga’s upcoming workshop is a mix of therapeutic yoga practices.

Djuna Devereaux’s yoga workshops are a blend of many teachings she learned in her yoga journey.

 

Part 3: Reducing carbon emissions: A community and personal exploration

Guests: Anjuli Grantham and Steve Behnke, Juneau Commission on Sustainability.
A five-part webinar that maps out some practical steps to reduce Juneau’s carbon footprint, as both a community and an individual.

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