Pushups for Parkinson’s

Pushups 4 Park inson’s: The 10-10-10 Challenge

Promoting Awareness and Finding a Cure

By Casey Freed BSRI Case Manager

When Evan Cutler’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 60, it hit his family hard. As his father Keith Cutler battled the debilitating physical effects of the disease, Evan altered his career and moved his family to be near his parents. His mother Arleen eventually became a fulltime caregiver.

Keith’s illness lasted 14 years and in that time Evan needed to find a way to channel grief into positive action. He made a simple personal commitment to do a hundred push-ups every day for the rest of his life, as a way of honoring his parents’ fight and their amazing ability to “push on and push through.”

“Pushing up has a literal and figurative meaning. In the literal sense, we’re exercising to improve our physical and mental health. But figuratively we are pushing through and making it through a difficult situation,” Evan says. And that is good for our soul and emotional health.

After his father’s death in 2017, Evan turned what was initially a personal challenge, dealing with his own grief, into a global effort to raise money and awareness in the fight against Parkinson’s. With the help of family, colleagues, and supporters, Evan created the Cutler Foundation, which now hosts the Push-Ups for Parkinson’s 100 Million Push-up Challenge.

10.10.10 for the Cure

Known as the 10.10.10 Challenge, this movement challenges the world to do 100 million push-ups and raise

Evan Cutler, CEO and founder of The Cutler Founda on, does pushups each day as a way of honoring his father’s illness and as a way to “push on and push through.” Cutler is a financial advisor with John Ingraham LLC. Photo contributed

$100 million to find a cure for Parkinson’s, to support caregivers, and to improve quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s.

You may be asking yourself: What if I can’t do 10 “real” pushups? Evan took time out of his busy schedule to explain to us how the challenge works.

“Anyone at any age can find a way to participate,” Evan says. “Do standing push-ups while holding on to the kitchen counter, or do modified push-ups: anything that is safe.” It doesn’t matter about how you do your push-ups. It’s more about working together to push through this fight against Parkinson’s.

Becoming part of the global initiative is simple: Do 10 pushups, give $10 at www.my101010.org, and challenge 10 friends to do the same. You can even post a video of your pushups to inspire others.

Funds raised go to local, national, and worldwide organizations that focus on research for a cure, provide support for caregivers, and support education to family and professional care providers. To learn more, or to get involved today, go to www.pushups4parkinsons.org.

Coastal Carolina Active Living’s Southport Center offers a Parkinson’s Support Group. Join the group at 10:15 a.m. April 12.

Geri-Fit Helps Rebuild Strength

By Jackie Knott Assistant Director, Southport Center

Welcome to the world of Geri-Fit. I’m so excited to share my and other participants’ Geri-Fit experiences.

My journey began when I earned my Geri-Fit teaching certification in June 2021. Geri-Fit is an evidence-based program designed exclusively for older adults. It helps rebuild strength that's been lost through aging, to help ensure a higher level of function.

All the exercises must be taught while adhering strictly to the guidelines regarding specific movement. We address muscle groups that affect our ability to balance.

No Tunes—No Distractions

There is no music used in this program because each movement must be consciously made with thought and awareness. The objective is defined motion and music can be a distraction. We make our own music with laughter, chitchat, and keeping count.

This 45-minute program begins with stretches. Then we start the first of 12 to 14 different exercises. All of the exercises can be done from a chair or a wheelchair. We start out doing 10 repetitions then gradually move to 15 repetitions. Most of our class participants share similar physical challenges, such as full joint replacements, arthritis, recovery from a stroke, neuropathy, and balance issues. We use weights and bands in different weights. We have a wonderful new assortment of weights to offer, so there’s no need to purchase them.

Sherry Ross, volunteer at the Southport Center, finds me for Geri-Fit even though she’s busy with quil ng and other ac vi es. Ross says Geri-Fit (and Chair Yoga) have helped her with feeling stronger and be&er overall. She has shared that her A1C number has dropped, too.