In the open fields of West Park in Wilmette Sunday morning, individuals with Parkinson’s disease practiced karate holds alongside fellow martial arts practitioners from around the Chicago area.
The event, Karate for a Cause, celebrated the students of Breakthrough Karate, a program created in 2017 by Dr. Steven Eisenstein, a family practice physician in Northbrook. The program offers free karate classes to Parkinson’s patients through the Wilmette Park District.
Breakthrough Karate teaches students to use traditional Shotokan karate methods to help fight the effects of Parkinson’s disease and improve their health.
“Karate is not just a physical activity, but relies on a mindfulness, a connection between body and spirit, a focus on core strength, breathing, power and balance,” Eisenstein said.
“Parkinson’s disease is the antithesis of that, it makes people move in small ways, making movements shaky or less balanced, and often leads to a loss of confidence as patients try to conceal the symptoms of the disease,” Eisenstein said.
The Traditional Karate Club of Wilmette is home to Breakthrough Karate, where Eisenstein, who holds a third-degree black belt, is head instructor and a certified Rock Steady boxing coach.
Sunday’s event was held as a fundraiser to boost awareness for Parkinson’s treatment and research, to expand the Wilmette program and to honor those who use martial arts specifically to delay progression of their neurological disorder.
The event was also open to spectators and had a suggested donation of $10 or more.
Suzie Chavin of Glencoe has been a student in Breakthrough Karate for the past 3 years.
Chavin says Eisenstein’s program has improved her life and that since starting karate her illness hasn’t progressed overall.
“Karate works wonders, it gives us a little control over something we have no control over, it gives us hope,” Chavin said.
Jeri Schmidt of Evanston also attended on Sunday and is a participant in the program.
“I lost my husband to Parkinson’s before being diagnosed with the disease myself. Connecting with this group has been like finding a beginning karate family,” Schmidt said.
Eisenstein says he launched the program for very personal reasons.
“My brother developed Parkinson’s when he was 50 years old, and over 18 years he exhibited a myriad of symptoms, so difficult to watch in someone so vibrant, athletic and successful,” Eisenstein said.
In honor of his brother’s memory, Eisenstein has set up a fund through the North Shore University Health System’s Neurological Institute earmarked especially for people with Parkinson’s disease, https://foundation.northshore.org/karate
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Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter.