Parkinson’s Exercise Class for People Living with Parkinson’s

Donor support is helping people living with Parkinson’s disease gain strength, confidence and community through a free, therapist-led exercise program. Exercise can have a positive impact on individuals with Parkinson’s disease — ongoing, properly guided exercise is essential.

The Parkinson’s disease exercise program is an exercise program that was created for people who are living with Parkinson's disease. And the goal of our class is to provide an opportunity for people to continue to exercise in a way that is meaningful and beneficial for their Parkinson's disease-specific challenges. We wanted to give the people the opportunity in an academic medical setting — to work with therapists who have experience, neurologic experts who really understand what Parkinson's disease is, how it affects your body, how it affects your mobility and work on exercises to really help affect that in a positive way. (Molly Sievers, DPT)

After I was diagnosed, I went to physical therapy and occupational therapy and my occupational therapist recommended the program. And once I started, I was hooked. It was wonderful. It gave me confidence to keep going on, and it also built a community, a camaraderie among all of us with the therapists and among each other. It's been a remarkable experience in my life. (Connie Maloney, patient and class participant)

I can be a little bit of a curmudgeon that doesn't want to move around, and this program gave me the opportunity to establish a schedule of exercise. And, therefore, I get at least two sessions a week, and with the encouragement of the staff here, I end up doing more than that, which is what I really need to do. And so it's turned into a very nice, organized program for me. (Allan Reichert, patient and class participant)

Dosed properly, exercise can modify the disease course for people. So when people are working hard enough and frequently enough and getting the right dose of exercise, it can really have a positive impact on their life and also on their Parkinson's disease. (Molly Sievers, DPT)

Before he was diagnosed, he was gradually going downhill from walking three miles a day to not being able to walk a half mile. And then he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and we were devastated. But after we met the therapists who were so enthusiastic and positive, we just learned to accept that this was just another part of living. I've seen him get stronger. I've just seen him be more positive. When I go to do something for him, he says, "I can do that." (Mary Reichert, patient spouse)

In December of 2025, we were notified by the Parkinson's Foundation of our designation as a Center of Excellence. We are one of 55 centers worldwide with this really prestigious designation. It's a recognition of the work that is being done here, the commitment to education of staff and patients, our commitment to social support and really helping advance the care that people receive here at the Froedtert & MCW health network. Without philanthropy, this patient-focused Parkinson's disease exercise program would not be possible. The Charles D. Jacobus Family Foundation donation was what helped us get our program off the ground and get it running. But as we continued to grow and continued to have demand and need for more opportunities and more classes, that generous gift sparked additional generous gifts. We have received anonymous donations. We've received other donations from Miss Betty Arndt. And so we are just so grateful to all of our donors for their generosity and for believing in what we're doing so that we can help people living with Parkinson's disease put their best foot forward every day. (Molly Sievers, DPT)

First of all, I would want to offer my personal thanks for what it allows me to do. I would want them to know how essential it is that this program continues to be offered at no cost to the patients. If I had to go out and purchase my program, that would be the end of it. I just couldn't afford it. Second, the quality of the people that are here with the Medical College and the Froedtert & MCW health network makes this an outstanding program. Again, it motivates me to do the things I need and want to do to increase my stamina and to stabilize my Parkinson's disease. (Allan Reichert, patient and class participant)

Boy, I wouldn't have missed being in this program for anything. It's been a pleasure, and we are so grateful that they would even consider doing this for these people with Parkinson's disease. It's amazing how many people have Parkinson's disease. And now that their program is expanding to other parts of the city, it's amazing. It's amazing that there are so many people who are touched by what's happening now. (Connie Maloney, patient and class participant)

Here, you're not trying to fit into a world that functions without Parkinson's disease. And it's a wonderful experience. (Mary Reichert, patient spouse)