This past Saturday, Dr. Q and I had the privilege of joining the Up ENDing Parkinson’s climbing event at Crux Pflugerville. The event brought together a small but mighty group—about six participants living with Parkinson’s and five volunteers—to share the climbing wall, encouragement, and a whole lot of community spirit.

As volunteers, we helped belay, offer beta, and cheer participants on as they pushed themselves toward new heights—literally. Some were climbing for the very first time, while others were more seasoned on the wall. At the start of the session, many of the newer climbers were understandably hesitant to take that first step off the ground. Yet, by the end of the two hours, those same climbers were confidently making their way up the wall, cheered on by the supportive voices below.

One of the most inspiring parts of the day was seeing how climbing uniquely interacts with Parkinson’s symptoms. A resting tremor is a hallmark of Parkinson’s, but when participants gripped a hold, the tremor eased, allowing them to move upward with greater steadiness and control. Another challenge that a participant shared with me—less visible to the eye—is difficulty with decision-making. In climbing, every move requires quick choices: where to place your feet, how to shift your weight, when to reach for the next hold. With encouragement and guidance from the volunteers, the participants were able to make these decisions more fluidly, discovering new ways to move their bodies with efficiency and confidence.

Dr. Q and I, with our physical therapy background, were encouraged by how climbing challenges both gross and fine motor skills. Each climb blends large, whole-body movements with precise hand and foot placements, creating a powerful way to train coordination, strength, and mobility—all while having fun.

Between climbs, we had the chance to connect with participants and hear their stories. Many of them are part of a close-knit community, supporting one another not only at events like this but also in their daily lives. From shared activities to mutual encouragement, it was clear how much strength they draw from being together.

The event was a powerful reminder of why movement, community, and support are so important in navigating Parkinson’s. Climbing may seem like a physical challenge, but on Saturday, it became much more—it was a celebration of resilience, connection, and the joy of reaching new heights together.