An interview with Alex Kozich from Exercise, Rehab, and Wellness for Individuals with Degenerative Disease on September 12, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
My name is Alex Kozich and I am a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at The Ohio State University. Over the past few months, I have worked to develop ERWIDD (Exercise, Rehab, and Wellness for Individuals with Degenerative Disease) through which I plan to provide an online exercise platform for individuals with all degenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s Disease.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with degrees in pre-physical therapy and exercise science in 2021. While in my doctorate program at Ohio State, I have participated in research for degenerative disease populations and am currently working as a student intern for the Degenerative Disease Special Interest Group of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy.
Can you tell me more about your organization or advocacy?
ERWIDD aims to create a sense of community through affordable and accessible online exercise training, including group classes, individual consultations, and general disease-specific exercise programs available for purchase. Our focus is for individuals with degenerative diseases including Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Huntington’s Disease. We aim to launch services by June 2024 at the latest.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
During my undergraduate education, I was first exposed to working with the Parkinson’s Disease population through an exercise science internship experience. This truly sparked my passion for health and wellness promotion in this population and has been the driving force for the creation of my online platform. My goal with ERWIDD is to donate 5% of proceeds to various organizations that facilitate research of degenerative disease, including the Parkinson’s Foundation.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when seeing your advocacy?
Individuals with PD that are interested in ERWIDD’s programming should have goals of remaining active, participating in a welcoming community environment, and improved function and safety.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
Our training programs will provide the options for individual consultations and the creation of individualized programs, group classes, and general exercise programs available for purchase. Group classes will likely include focuses such as strengthening, boxing, or yoga. Purchased programs will be weekly programs able to repeat as appropriate.
What effect can your advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Research shows that exercise has many benefits for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, including improved strength, function, and independence throughout daily life. Health and wellness promotion is extremely important in this population and can help an individual throughout the course of PD to stay active and healthy.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your advocacy?
I would like to see our platform reach at least 50 members by the end of 2024 in order to advance our health and wellness promotion for individuals in this population. In addition, my first financial goal is to donate at least $1,000 to organizations for degenerative disease research and advocacy.
What events do you participate in?
I am working in my role as a student intern for the DDSIG, through which we help promote information and events for this population.
How does your advocacy also assist the caregivers?
ERWIDD encourages that individuals have caregivers or other individuals present for the first exercise sessions and any others as necessary. These programs can allow for caregiver participation, increasing their activity levels simultaneously, while also giving safe ideas for activity at home outside of our classes.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Any specific questions regarding our programming can be directed to me at contacterwidd@gmail.com. Our website can currently be found at https://contacterwidd.wixsite.com/erwidd but will be available at erwidd.com in the near future. Our Instagram page can be found at @erwiddinsta.
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Find your niche in this community and pursue it! There are so many ways to get involved and make a difference in this community.
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Find exercise or community programs that you enjoy and stick with them! There are many offerings out there and they can be so beneficial to your health as you go through your journey.