PRO BOXING

Cedar Lake native Kristy Follmar had a message she wanted to get across during Wednesday's ABC World News segment on Rock Steady Boxing.

"This is so exciting," said Follmar, who was on national television for a few minutes on Wednesday. "We wanted to show everyone that there is help out there for people with Parkinson's. We're here for them and we hope we can continue to be there for them for a long time to come."

Rock Steady Boxing is the Indianapolis-based organization that Follmar, in her position as executive director, has helped turn into a reservoir of hope for people in the Indianapolis area who have been afflicted with Parkinson's Disease. The training regimen focuses on boxing training techniques to help with the range of motion and freezing issues that attack so many Parkinson's patients.

"The program we've used at Rock Steady has become popular beyond our dreams," Follmar said. "To see the progress that our people have made is one of the greatest things I have ever seen in my life."

ABC World News approached Rock Steady about doing a piece a few weeks ago. The discussions led to the network sending a crew to Indianapolis to film Follmar while she made her return to the ring on Feb. 26 after a three-year layoff from boxing. In the crowd that night were many people in the Parkinson's program and the network interviewed many of them as well as Follmar.

"I was so glad to have them watch me," Follmar said. "It made coming back just a bit easier knowing that they were in my corner."

Follmar's comeback turned into a four-round exhibition when her original opponent dropped out and was replaced by Hammond resident Amy Yuratovac.

The Parkinson's program is so successful that the Rock Steady hierarchy, which include co-founders Scott Newman and Vince Perez along with Follmar, are on the lookout for a larger facility.

"I hope that somebody watching (Wednesday) will be able to help us," Follmar said. "Maybe financially to help us renovate a building here in town. We are a not-for-profit and we are looking to help as many people as possible. When you see the accomplishments of the people in our program it warms the heart."

Follmar was a three-sport star at Hanover Central and a Ball State graduate. She was a successful boxer (16-1) before settling into her current job.

"I hope my friends and everyone back home get to watch," Follmar said. "It's exciting to know that ABC filmed us and I hope that the show will help people with Parkinson's and similar disorders to seek help. You can still live your life."