Norman Hunneyman says the YMCA and their exercise program saved his life.
"The physical therapist, that was one of the most wonderful experiences I've had because I had a person who was trained and knew what I needed for exercises as a Parkinson's patient. I have my own little gym at home and I play Johnny Cash and I do my exercises," said Hunneyman.
Exrecise isn't just good for your heart, it's crucial to slowing the progression of Parkinson's disease symptoms.
"Exercise is really a treatment for Parkinson's Disease. It's medicine for the brain. It actually keeps the brains cells connected to each other," said Dr. Michelle Burack, University of Rochester Medical Center Deep Brain Stimulator Program clinical director.
"I try to stay active because the worst part about the Parkinson's is you feel really stiff and it gets to be really annoying. But if you spend just five or ten minutes stretching, it helps," said Jennifer Gruenberg, a Liverpool resident and Parkinson's disease patient.
Doctors say the best exercises are the ones that connect multiple body parts, like Yoga and Tai Chi.
"Swimming is great, especially for people who have arthritis because it is lower impact on the joints. It is something where you need coordination across multiple body parts, so it's going to get those connections for movement coordination, that the brain needs in Parkinson's disease," said Burack
While it is important to exercise at every stage of life, it becomes even more critical in Parkinson's to start exercising early. Because part of the disease is the loss of dopamine which gives you motivation, it's important to pick an activity you like, so you can stick to it.
"Skills that are lost are very difficult to get back but it's much easier to maintain skills," said Dr. Kevin Thomas, Neurologist.
Doctors do try to tailor treatments to help patients achieve what they want and live the life they want.