Convincing Uncle Brandon to do his exercises was an exercise itself
Eventually, he learned that physical therapy helped him keep doing what he loved
Written by |
If Parkinson’s disease had one ally in our household, it was my late uncle Brandon’s ability to avoid doing his home exercises.
As I’ve mentioned before, Uncle Brandon was proud. He liked to stay busy, solve problems, and do things his way. Even as his Parkinson’s worsened, he wouldn’t let it define him. I admired his determination, but it sometimes led to some funny standoffs with other members of our family.
One of those battles involved exercise. Through my own research and conversations with his care team, I learned how important physical therapy and exercise can be for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Regular movement can help with gait, balance, and mobility, and even reduce the impact of symptoms such as freezing episodes. More importantly, we wanted Uncle Brandon to stay as safe and independent as possible while continuing to enjoy the things he loved.
But did he immediately roll up his sleeves and join the program? What do you think?
Facing a tough truth
When his doctor first suggested physical therapy, Uncle Brandon acted as though we were trying to recruit him for the Olympics. He insisted that if he had to attend physical therapy sessions, there was no reason to bring the exercises home.
“I’m not some kind of athletic trainer,” he commented.
Uncle Brandon pictured physical therapy as hours in a gym lifting weights and running obstacle courses. Of course, no one had ever suggested anything like that. When his physical therapist arrived for an initial consultation, the therapist asked thoughtful questions about his daily routine, movement, walking ability, sleep habits, stress levels, and the challenges he experienced throughout the day.
Uncle Brandon answered politely, but I could tell he wasn’t really convinced. Whenever the topic of home exercises came up, he had an answer ready.
He got plenty of exercise already, thank you very much. He walked to the kitchen. He walked to the mailbox. He walked to the bathroom. What more could anybody possibly want?
The first few sessions were slow. He did some exercises, skipped others, and sometimes talked his way out of the ones he didn’t like. Looking back, I don’t think he was resisting out of laziness. I think he was scared.
Each balance exercise, stretch, and movement drill meant something more. They reminded him that his Parkinson’s was getting worse, and that determination alone couldn’t fix everything. For someone who had always solved problems with hard work, that was a tough truth to face. Then came a few falls and close calls around the house.
Suddenly, his body was telling him something that neither his family nor his doctors had been able to fully communicate. A few days later, he surprised all of us. He asked when his next physical therapy appointment was. Naturally, we wanted to know what had changed. His answer was classic Uncle Brandon.
He explained that if he was going to continue hunting, he needed to make sure he could still stand steady enough to aim properly. Not improved mobility. Not balance. Not fall prevention. Hunting. Whatever worked, we thought.
From that point on, something shifted. He started taking the sessions a little more seriously. He still complained sometimes and questioned some exercises. And, yes, there were a few choice words when things didn’t go his way. But he showed up.
Over time, he built a strong bond with his therapist, who became both a coach and a trusted friend. We saw his turns get smoother, his balance improve, and his movements become more controlled. Most importantly, he noticed the changes, too. And once he saw results, he bought in.
Looking back, Uncle Brandon never became a fan of exercise — let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But he did learn that physical therapy wasn’t about making him an athlete. It was about helping him keep doing what he loved for as long as he could.
Sometimes that’s all the motivation we need.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
Leave a comment
Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.