THURSDAY, May 23, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- For decades, Todd Vogt has been dedicated to the sport of rowing, believing he was in peak physical condition. Then, a series of symptoms began to emerge, turning his life upside down. "My left arm stopped swinging, and I felt incredibly fatigued," , 49, recalled.
"Eventually, a tremor developed in my hand, and I slowly began to realize something was wrong." That was in 2018. Since then, he has navigated life with Parkinson's disease, managing his symptoms and maintaining his rowing career.
This summer, he will compete in the Paralympic Games in Paris. But the journey has been anything but easy. Parkinson's disease affects about 1.
5 million people in the United States, with symptoms that include tremor, muscle stiffness, slow movement and problems with coordination and balance. These symptoms typically worsen over time. In Vogt’s case, he faces challenges such as fatigue, weakness and involuntary tremor in his left hand and foot.
Despite these obstacles, he believes his rigorous exercise routine has played a crucial role in managing the disease. "I believe all the exercise I’ve been doing has delayed the progression," he said. Vogt's introduction to rowing came during his freshman year at the University of Buffalo in 1992.
His passion for the sport was immediate, leading him to row competitively throughout college and beyond. After college, he transitioned to coaching, a role that kept him deeply connected to rowing. When he star.
