MPD, local group throw punches at Parkinson’s
Jerry Rubio works with Reginald Foster during a boxing class for Memphians with Parkinson's hosted by the MPD Oct. 9, 2024. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
“Step right. Jab. Step left. Jab.”
Memphis Police Department officer Reginald Foster calls out the commands to a group of elderly trainees at MPD’s boxing gym, Wednesday, Oct. 9.
“Don’t forget to breathe,” Foster says.
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Dressed in a polo, khakis and loafers, Frank Navarra watches closely and mimics Foster’s movements with a slightly off-beat rhythm.
After a few more warmup exercises, the gloves came out.
Navarra squeezes into a pair of black and yellow gloves and joins a smaller group of four.
“One, two, slip. Two, roll, two, pivot,” Foster calls out, cueing the boxers’ movements.
Smack! Smack!
Navarra throws soft jabs at Foster’s padded hands, ducks down and throws another punch.
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At 79, Navarra is not your traditional fighter. He has Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that affects more than a million Americans.
Navarra is also a board member for 901 Parkinson’s Fighters, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing programs and resources to those with Parkinson’s and their families.
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Memphis Police Department 901 Parkinson's Fighters Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Aarron Fleming
Aarron Fleming covers Memphis and Shelby County’s court system and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. He formerly covered education and earned his B.A. in journalism from the University of Memphis.
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