“The Y has improved my health, helped me stay in shape, helped me stay active. It is a great organization.”

Howard V. Jones has been a Y member for almost 35 years. Sy has been a member of the JCC for at least that amount of time. When Howard heard about the Y’s new Parkinson’s program, he knew Sy would benefit.

Howard and Sy are an unlikely pair. Howard loves scuba diving, motorcycles, softball and martial arts. Sy loves art, opera and travel. They were introduced by a mutual friend decades ago, after each had been through a divorce. Howard was actually living at the Y (when we had single room occupancy units) and working at General Motors while Sy had a large house and was working as a dentist. Howard and Sy became roommates. Howard now introduces Sy as his uncle. He is a devoted nephew indeed.

Sy is now in a wheelchair, the results of his Parkinson’s disease and other ailments. Howard brings him to class twice a week. They are both huge fans of the Y’s new Parkinson’s program. They say the exercises promote muscle movement. This improves Sy’s mobility and gets him out. Although Sy had physiotherapy in the past, if you don’t keep your muscles moving they will deteriorate. They both see the variety of exercises as a huge plus.

They also like being part of a supportive group of people with a common goal. The Y is proud to offer the Delay the Disease exercise program to fight Parkinson’s symptoms, and to be a part of both of these men’s remarkable lives.