Boxing is usually an individual sport, but a group of men and women in Commack are fighting not only as a team - but for their lives.

Bill Bowling, Carl Deming and Barbara Oldenburg are all up against the same opponent: Parkinson's disease. They used to be alone in their fight, but now they have each other, plus a whole team, in the Rocksteady Boxing Program in Commack.

"Using those principles of boxing, it really helps them to improve their hand-eye coordination, balance, speed of movement, endurance and stamina," says physical therapist Susan Thomas.

Thomas started the program last year, but only two people showed up then. Now, she has more than 40 clients, and the results are showing.

"I sleep better, I eat better and I feel better, physically and more important, mentally," says Bowling.