When I heard about the Shift-AR Parkinson’s Support Group being established at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, I was eager to participate in the once monthly group activity and twice weekly CrossFit exercise sessions. That decision has been, and still is, a positive life experience. My daily quality of life has improved substantially. My mental outlook, strength and mobility have improved and is recognized by my family and friends. I highly recommend the program.

To the Professors(Originators) and  Students(Trainors).I would like to Thank You! for offering the CrossFit class. I was a little skeptical when approached about participating, I thought,"there's no way" a person in a wheelchair could benefit from crossfit...boy, was I wrong. Not only has it given me better cardio,muscle retention & muscle growth. I've experienced muscle and nerve tingling, in places I forgot I had.The CrossFit class has given individuals like me, a place to feel "welcomed" in society, without any reserve. And the emotional and mental reward that gives a person, with a disability, cannot be put into words. Again,Thank You! for a life changing experience.  

The reason I enjoying to the CrossFit classes is because of so many things!!! 1st Dr. Reed and Dr. Kaci are precious to be around. They are all about getting the most out of the work out. Their goal is to make it fun and attainable at the same time. They make a great team and we all love them for being on our team.

There are unique sensations between what can be “felt” prior to a spinal cord injury (SCI) and afterwards…not just an alteration in the obvious sense of feeling and touch…but also of a deep change in mood, emotions, and attitudes. In my case, I had a motorcycle wreck in March of 2021 that left me, a very healthy 62 year old woman, into a quadriplegic (tetraplegic) in the blink of an eye…one who held onto an overwhelming sense of responsibility to restore my physical and mental “self.” I was not aware of any place locally providing exercise, physical therapy, and group interactions for someone like me…until I received a message about SHIFT-AR from a dear friend…about an opportunity to become a part of this incredible research program, focusing on group exercise as it improves our lives. The adaptive CrossFit exercise challenges remind me of how much I love staying active…physically, mentally, and socially.  These kinds of behavior direct me to look for and find the positive in the present moment…and to stay focused even when feeling overwhelmed...