Genesis West is hosting a class twice a week that is aimed at delaying the progression of Parkinson's Disease in a person's body.
Former Davenport Police Officer Chuck Lee is a participant. He was a member of the police department for 35 years. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2012. The following year he had to retire.
"Parkinson's and Police Work, they're just not exactly suited for one another," Lee said. "The slow movement, cognitive process, it wasn't a good fit."
Lee has been at Genesis West's 'Delay the Disease Program' ever since he retired. Parkinson's Disease is the disorder that affects a person's movement and their speech. Physical Therapist Sarah Anderson works with the patients twice a week. She says that exercise can help tremendously.
"It can slow their symptoms," Anderson said. "It can give them temporary relief of their symptoms a lot of times."
Participants do many exercises, like trunk and arm workouts that increase blood circulation to the brain. Lee says he's very blessed to have a program like this.
"I went to the doctor, neurologist, at the Mayo Clinic, and he said, 'No matter what you do, just be active,'" Lee said. "They find that that is probably one of the best ways to fight Parkinson's Disease."
If you're interested in signing up for the Delay the Disease program, click here.