Parkinson's & Poetry

Food, family, stuffed animals still keeping us company: in this episode, Mari recites the poems written with her fellow Women Affected by Parkinson's of Spokane, WA. She speaks to the everyday bravery of the group, the ways they support each other through their journeys with Parkinson's. Not to mention the laughter! Hear from Mari about her own experience through diagnosis and community, including her advice for those newly diagnosed, and her commitment to continuing her cultural, particularly food, heritage.

Janice Holland-Hill shared her poem, "The Road", with the NW Parkinson's community: now her daughter, Kate, walks us through it. We learn how dynamic a person Jan is, from writing to sheet music, to energizing Kate with tasks of creativity. Jan's young-onset diagnosis of Parkinson's shapes their family's lives; in this episode, we step into the pain as well as the beauty of those changes. For Bette Jane's part, she looks forward to one day finding a book of poems by Janice Holland-Hill.

When weighed down, what lifts us? Poetry can sometimes be that antigravity, that "outward expression of an inner being", as Gary Vallat puts it. In 2019, Gary published a book of poems called "There is a Lightness in the Telling"; this conversation reveals why, and illuminates something at once familiar, light-hearted, and sacred about 'telling'. Tune in to hear original poetry by Gary, and for his wife and carepartner Rubye Vallat's profoundly helpful thoughts on life amid COVID-19. There's even more: Gary's daughter and filmmaker, Aimie Vallat, created "Present Moment", a short film that documents Gary and his family's day-to-day dance with Parkinson's. You can view the film here! You can also purchase a copy of Gary's book of poems here!

Jordan Whitley is our Community Engagement Manager with arguably the best laugh around the NW. A graduate of the University of Washington's Master of Social Work program, she works passionately with people impacted by Parkinson's in the NW to bring the classes, conferences, and local resources to those who need them. In this episode, Jordan reads "The Apple Orchard" by Marjorie Laughlin with lichened elegance. Jordan and Bette Jane chat about what it means to be a poet [AKA attentive] as well as why we show up each day with the NW Parkinson's community. 

T. Christopher Crandall is a baritone, and a dedicated, soon-to-be Master of Social Work through the University of Washington. In 2018, T. serendipitously became involved with the NW Parkinson's community through his practicum work at Evergreen Hospital's Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center in Kirkland, WA. Since then, T. has been instrumental in providing social support to people impacted by Parkinson's in the Northwest. He also reads poetry with total brilliance. Listen to his take on "Icicle Creek (Still Life)" by community member and poet Marjorie Laughlin. NOTE: T. and Bette Jane recorded this episode in early March, before COVID-19 isolation measures were taken. There are some background noises from our colleagues. 

If you've read Marjorie Laughlin's "Icicle Creek (Still Life)" or "The Apple Orchard" on Parkinson's & Poetry, you might assume she's been writing for decades. In fact, as she shares in this conversation, it was a pretty recent sunset that moved Marjorie to poetry. She took a chance. Listen in to learn what poetry has meant for her, and for life with Parkinson's. You can find her lovely book of poems, "I Loosed My Father's Boots", on Amazon.

Nearly 20 years ago this winter, Judy Wood moved down her frozen street with full attention. She noticed, and noted. It's now spring of 2020 and her son, Steve, leads us into that moment, entitled "December 2000". An artist, mother, wife, retired nurse, and woman living with Parkinson's: tune in to this episode to learn about Judy and her son, including his reading of "December 2000". You can find Judy's poem and some of her artwork at https://parkinsons.poetry.blog/december-2000-artwork-by-judy-wood/

Pam Walker and Pam "Pinky" Reeve share a first name, a room-altering sense of style, and over fifty years of friendship. They remained close while Pinky lived around the country, and they became even stronger together when Pam was diagnosed with Parkinson's. These two women have been dedicated to their NW Parkinson's community over the last four years. In this episode, the Pams discuss the convivial weave of their lives; they also give a lovely reading of "Afternoon on a Hill" by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Listen in to hear from NW Parkinson's own Community Stewardship Officer & Board Member, Pam Reeve & Pam Walker.