An IT manager with Parkinson’s donned his boxing gloves for a national TV campaign to show how he is taking on the condition.
Jagdeep Singh Aujila, 53, can be seen boxing in his garden and cooking with his family in the ‘We Are Undefeatable’ campaign from 15 health charities.
The campaign, led by charities including Parkinson’s UK, encourages people with long-term health conditions to get active.
Mr Aujila, who was diagnosed with the condition last year, has lived an active life, teaching martial arts for more than 30 years.
The married dad-of-two has also trekked to Mount Everest’s base camp, run marathons and completed the London to Brighton bike ride several times.
Despite his diagnosis, he is preparing to take on Mount Kilimanjaro in October.
Now he is setting up non-combative boxing sessions for his fellow members at Parkinson’s UK’s Redbridge and Epping group.
He said: “The consultant said being active is the best thing and even mentioned boxing, and I started to research how it benefits Parkinson’s. I’m all for being active and it will bring a positive outcome to anyone with an illness. It’s a known fact that the benefits outweigh the negatives, no matter what illness you have, if you can do what works for you.”
Mr Aujila, who works at the Adult College of Barking and Dagenham, said he was proud to feature in the campaign.
He continued: “I’ve had loads of people get in contact with me, people I haven’t spoken to in a long time. People at my work have been getting in touch with me, saying well done and that I’m inspiring others. I’ve had a few stares in Tesco that I wouldn’t usually get!
“I also feel I’m helping men with health issues to speak, it’s something generally men don’t do. Personally, a problem shared is a problem halved and it’s good to make people aware they are not the only ones in this place.”
Research carried out by OnePoll for the campaign also showed that 67 per cent of people surveyed feel in a better mood after physical activity.
For more details on the campaign, visit https://weareundefeatable.co.uk/
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