Beaumont High School Students Help Patients Battling Neurological Conditions

BEAUMONT, CA — Beaumont High School students in the Career Technical Education's Medical Arts Pathway are helping people who have suffered from stroke, Parkinson's Disease, brain injury, and other neurological disorders.

One patient was ready to take a punch out of Parkinson's disease. Moments after the high school classroom was cleared of tables and chairs, he was helped on with his gloves, then threw a left hook toward his target while teenagers cheered him on, according to a recent news release from the school district.

Beaumont High School Career Technical Education’s Medical Arts Pathway Instructor Christine Guevara turned her health classroom into a free fitness space for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, stroke, brain injury, and other neurological challenges. Guevara, who refers to the patients as her "boxers," has an advanced degree in occupational therapy and more than 20 years of professional experience in the field, according to the release.

She is also the founder of the nonprofit, Starting Line - Strength and Stability Center, which operates out of the high school classroom with the support of high school students who are designated as “interns.”

Boxer Cindy Barkley has been attending the class three times a week for over two years.

“One of our major symptoms is being very stiff— rigid. The movements of boxing, you know, just loosen you up. That’s what makes you feel good,” she said.

The boxers are mostly over 60 years old and exhibit visible signs of imbalance, shaking, or leg immobility. Despite their physical limitations, the boxers are upbeat, talkative, and ready to break a sweat. Each boxer is assigned a teenage student who offers encouragement, guidance, and physical support for the entire 1.5-hour class.

Every student is required to complete two years' worth of training, including lessons on Parkinson’s disease, fall prevention, exercise assistance, dementia, nutrition, and CPR, before they are allowed to work directly with a boxer.

“Parkinson's is a progressive disease, so with this type of inter-generational interaction, both our students and boxers get to help fight off the progression of symptoms as long as possible,”

explains Guevara. She also notes that she hopes students “learn confidence, professionalism,
and how to interact with people that they don't already know.”

Elham Kahlah is a high school junior and a student intern in the class, according to the release. She finds the program has been incredibly valuable for her plans to pursue a medical career. “It’s just a learning experience. Just being with people who have the same mindset.” During the class, Kahlah was seen throwing punches alongside her boxer, as she encouraged him to keep going strong.

Guevara has no shortage of students eager to help people regain mobility. Still, she is always seeking more boxers who want to supplement their regular, one-on-one physical therapy appointments. Guevara is also in high need of financial sponsors to cover the program's most significant expense—insurance.

Donations enable her to continue providing the program to community members at no cost. Those interested in joining a group class or making a tax-deductible donation should visit the organization’s website.