parks
One ‘yes’ launched rock-climbing program for people with Parkinson’s
Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by LeAnne Gendreau , KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 20, 2026
· 2 min read
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Aging Untold) — A retired physician diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease more than 20 years ago was turned away from gym after gym when he wanted to try rock climbing — until one said yes. That single yes led to the creation of Up Ending Parkinson’s, a nonprofit that connects peopl...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting LeAnne Gendreau, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway (Aging Untold) — A retired physician diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease more than 20 years ago was turned away from gym after gym when he wanted to try rock climbing — until one said yes.
Why this matters in The Midland
The story of Up Ending Parkinson's and its founder Jonathan Lessin has implications for Midland residents living with Parkinson's disease. As the Permian Basin's population ages, the number of people affected by this condition is likely to grow. Local gyms and recreation centers can learn from the experience of Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria, Virginia, which saw the potential benefits of rock climbing for people with Parkinson's. By adapting their programs to meet the needs of this population, Midland's parks and recreation facilities can provide a valuable service to the community. The connection between physical activity and managing Parkinson's symptoms is well-documented, and initiatives like Up Ending Parkinson's demonstrate the positive impact that targeted exercise programs can have. As Midland continues to develop its parks and recreation offerings, incorporating programs like rock climbing and exercise therapy can help improve the quality of life for residents with Parkinson's disease.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Aging Untold) — A retired physician diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease more than 20 years ago was turned away from gym after gym when he wanted to try rock climbing — until one said yes. That single yes led to the creation of Up Ending Parkinson’s, a nonprofit that connects peopl...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by LeAnne Gendreau at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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