One In A Million

It is with great sadness I write this blog today, as one of our own has passed away. I would like to take this time to pay tribute to Liz.  Many of current members of RSBGV have never met or even heard of Liz. But she played an extremely important role in my life as a person with Parkinson’s disease whether she knew it or not. Her strength and beauty were only surpassed by her shear will to live. She inspired me to believe that I could live a happy, productive life while living with Parkinson’s, and at that time that was quite a feat, I owe her a lot.

Just two short years ago life at RSBGV was quite different, today we have large classes and many fellow boxers to socialize with. But back then there was a hand full of us and many times I boxed alone (Thank You Martie for believing in the program). I was full of self-doubt after I was diagnosed, this happens to other people not me I thought, it shook me to my core. In my mind my life was over, I could not imagine finding happiness in this strange new world of Parkinson’s. 

And then I met Liz, here before me was a woman whose best days were stolen from her by this horrible disease. At the time I met Liz she was mostly confined to a wheelchair, yet she always took great pride in her appearance, I never looked that good on my best day. She would put on her pink gloves and roll up to the heavy bag giving her best effort no matter what that maybe. And that’s when I got it, Liz was living her life and was not going to give in, she was a fighter, all the while inspiring others like myself to believe.

I remember Martie telling me that Liz was struggling and would not be returning to the gym. I told Martie I needed Liz in the gym, she gave me the strength and courage to fight this disease. Soon after my talk with Martie guess who showed up, Liz, she looked tired yet still found it in her to smile. She did not box that day, she spent the class encouraging us with smiles and high fives as we ran around the gym, it would be the last time I would see Liz. 

I will never forget Liz, she was the ray of sunshine during a very dark period, she made me believe that I too could fight this disease and not just roll over, and for that I am forever grateful, God speed.

By Mark Hitechew

   “Let me tell you something you already know. “The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!” 
― Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa