The 2022 Murph Challenge Day 14: Kathy Maiers
Parkinson’s disease tries to take away your motivation to fight. Today’s dedication refuses to let Parkinson’s stop her.
Over 1 million people in the U.S. battle the disease and Kathy Maiers is one of those 1 million. I’ve known Kathy for 4 years and she is a staple in our Knockout Parkinson’s classes. She inspires me daily as she attacks the disease head on while being a supporter, encourager, and inspiration to those who take class with her.
Kathy was diagnosed in June of 2018. As a neuroscience nurse, she started to notice symptoms and began to question whether it was Parkinson’s Disease which her doctor confirmed. After some research, she gave boxing a try. Kathy says this about exercise and attacking Parkinson’s, “I’m determined to be a poster child for proving exercise/boxing delays progression.” She has noticed minimal effects from Parkinson’s since attacking this with exercise as she puts it, “like my part time job.” Not only has she delayed the progression physically, it’s helped her mentally as well, “for me, it helps my anxiety, apathy, memory and sleeping issues.”
One of her favorite quotes that we say in class, “Parkinson’s may have started the fight, but we’re going to finish it.” She sums up her experience fighting the disease with a lesson for all of us as we fight our own battles, “it’s a lot easier to be resilient when you surround yourself with the right people. I’m around the right people and we show up and fight together.”
Every Day We Fight is honored to dedicate Day 14 of 32 to a great friend, encourager, and fighter, Kathy Maiers.
Team Murph: 26:16
When I did the Murph Challenge for the first time I became hooked. Not because it was fun but because it was painful, challenging, and meaningful.
These 31 challenges are a dedication to a fighter, a warrior, a person battling that’s an everyday hero.
– Tate Wheeler
“The Murph Challenge is more than just a workout. It is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and allows us the opportunity to dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor, LT. Michael P. Murphy, a man who sacrificed everything he had for our freedom.”
-Murph Website