73-YEAR-OLD LAKESIDE RESIDENT WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE IS INSPIRATIONAL EXAMPLE OF EXERCISE BENEFITS

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By Steve Lauria

March 10, 2016 (Lakeside) -- A great place to get a good workout is Lakeside’s Lindo Lake exercise path. There is a great assortment of stationary workout equipment for every part of the body. It is located right on the lake, next to the skateboard park.

While exercising there myself, I happened to meet Rivers Teuscher. Rivers has been exercising at the exercise path since it was built in 2009, and has been a Lakeside resident for 20 years. He works out there six days per week and has a great routine. “I have done 5,000 rows on the rowing machine,” says Rivers. I asked him how long it took. “It took me about three hours.”

Something amazing about Rivers is that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease eight years ago.  Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease that effects the nervous system. Symptoms include tremors, a reduction in the ability to move and a reduced ability to perform unconscious functions, such as swinging of the arms when walking and blinking. If left untreated, it can lead to dementia and severe loss of the body’s functions.

Rivers was diagnosed with the disease after he went to see his doctor because he was having trouble reading his own writing. Although he does take some medications, he attributes his great reduction in symptoms to his exercise routine. In watching him work out, there is no visible sign of any impairment. In addition to exercising at the park, Rivers also has a home workout regimen of exercising his core and using bands.

Another amazing thing about Rivers is that he is a Polio survivor. Polio is another serious, disorder of the nervous system. He gained a new respect for health from this. “Polio is the best thing that ever happened to me,” Rivers says. “It made me appreciate the value of health and exercise.”

Rivers eats a balanced diet each day. “I eat a lot of chicken,” he explains. He is presently being considered for a treatment called deep brain stimulation therapy, which could help reduce a lot more of his symptoms. He believes his exercise regimen makes him a candidate for this procedure.

Many people use excuses not to work out, such as ”too tired” or “not enough time.” But Rivers’ ability to overcome his disability with exercise, and keep himself in great shape should be a inspiration to everyone.

He concludes, ”I’m going to work out until I can’t anymore.”  After talking to him, I believe he will.


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