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Retro Fitness of Hackensack

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Bergenfield Quadriplegic Stands Strong 18 Years After Freak Accident Bergenfield Quadriplegic Stands Strong 18 Years After Freak Accident
Bergenfield Quadriplegic Stands Strong 18 Years After Freak Accident Lauren LaPorta of Butler isn't even on the treadmill and she's already shaking.  The 30-year-old had just hoisted herself out of her motorized wheelchair and ever-so slowly climbed the stairs up to the second level of Retro Fitness of Hackensack. All that was left for her to do was step onto the machine. Her legs are quivering. Her back is hunched. She doesn't know if she's going to make it this time. "I don't know what's wrong with me today," said LaPorta, several minutes into her second failed attempt at stepping onto the belt. Halfway there.Cecilia Levine While such a setback woul…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Having Down Syndrome Gives Hackensack Karate Black Belt Greater Purpose Having Down Syndrome Gives Hackensack Karate Black Belt Greater Purpose
Having Down Syndrome Gives Hackensack Karate Black Belt Greater Purpose Almost everyone at Retro Fitness of Hackensack seems to know Alex Rivera. The 37-year-old is rarely without a red Gatorade and look of determination on his face. He's got a black belt in karate, too, and isn't afraid to tell you that's why he's at the gym -- training to become a better fighter. He's affable. Social. Hardworking. Oh yeah, and he has Down Syndrome.  Alex has never let his disability hold him back nor define him. Instead, he's using it to get further and help others do the same. "I'm a role model," he said proudly after a routine training session last Thursday. …

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by Cecilia Levine