PWR!Gym Member Highlight

John Ritchie,  a member of our HIIT classes, is a great example of living well with Parkinson disease.  He has been an active member of the PWR!Gym since his diagnosis 5 ½ years ago.  A retired educator, John continues to stay active and involved in his retirement.  In addition to spending time with their grandchildren, he and his wife April love to travel.  They have travelled to South America, Switzerland, France, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Hong Kong, Thailand and Great Britain. John says his favorite trip was to South Africa where he bungee jumped off the Victoria Falls Bridge.  He did take the opportunity to hold up a PWR!Gym sign just prior to his jump!  Between coming to the PWR!Gym, travelling and spending time with grandchildren, John still finds time to volunteer in a variety of capacities.  He volunteers once a week for Habitat for Humanity,  travels once a year with members of his church to participate in a mission to build a home for a family in Rocky Point, Mexico and once or twice a month travels with a mobile shower unit to provide showers for homeless people. John feels strongly that his participation in classes at the PWR!Gym has helped slow the progression of his Parkinson’s and has enabled him to be such an active and upstanding part of his community. The friendships and support he has gained from fellow members and staff have been an added bonus. We are proud to have him as part of our community!