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Disability Capability Inc

Painting with Parkinsons support groups


Nicole's Story

     "I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease when I was 36. At the time I thought I was coping well and yet I couldn't say the words "Parkinson's disease" to my doctor or family members without bursting into tears and talking about it in any depth was impossible.

My neurologist referred me to a psychiatrist. He gave me a copy of a book called Living and Laughing with Parkinson's by Anne Atkin. He told me that Anne had Parkinson's disease too and that she ran a group called Painting with Parkinsons. He recommended that I go along and try out painting to see if it helped me with my mood.

I read the book and I loved the humorous and light-hearted way Anne talked about her Parkinson's. I decided to give Painting with Parkinsons a try, even though I hadn't done any painting since the age of 14 (at school) and I did not think that I would be any good.

I'm so glad that I did give it a try! The group was really great, so warm and welcoming. Anne gave me some paper, paints and a brush and left me to it to paint whatever I felt like. I just got lost in my painting and it was as if the rest of the world (and my problems) had gone away. I found it completely relaxing and it excised the creative part of my brain.

Another great thing about Painting with Parkinsons is the people who attend. There is something very comforting about just hanging out with other people with Parkinson's( We can understand what each other is going through) and engaging in an activity that we all enjoy.

There is much laughter at our painting sessions and when it is over (too soon) I feel so refreshed and enlivened. I ave met so many wonderful people at Painting with Parkinson     - people I would never have met in the ordinary course of events."

Nicole is one of these lucky people who recently found Painting with Parkinsons.  Parkinson's disease affects around 80,000 people in Australia and 25 more are diagnosed every day. No one can cure the disease but it is possible with medication to maintain some control over the symptoms and help people living with Parkinson's have a life.

Painting is a wonderful way of relaxing the central nervous system and giving people with Parkinson's some respite from some of the symptoms, especially tremor.

PAINTING WITH PARKINSONS is a group set up by an Artist, (who is living with Parkinson's) in Berwick in South East Melbourne and has been so successful that it has given birth to other groups around Victoria and many more are wanting groups formed in their area.

We want to help them by sending our artist to set-up the groups, recruit volunteers and start the group off by helping with the costs of art materials. Groups need to be small and personal so everybody gets to know one another and the group acts a support group as well as providing the time and place to learn an artistic skill.

We recently set up a new group in Torquay because we were asked by resident who has Parkinson's to do so. Now it has 7 members who have a reason to mix socially, learn at the same time about helping themselves health wise. Another group was started in Mount Martha. Here is there story.

"Our group started up in September 2012 with 1 client. Now in May 2013 we have 14 members from complete beginners to those with extensive skills & experience with various mediums.

Some members spoke of social isolation because of their Parkinson,s but attending our group & also participating in Anne Atkins Painting with Parkinsons  Art Show recently brought us back in contact with the mainstream community & our members are loving it.

Two of our members sold their paintings!

Favourable comments from Carers have made me feel very humble e.g." It is wonderful to talk about something she is so passionate about instead of the damn disease!"  and  "I had to persuade him to go with his mates on an outing that only happens once a year as he said he couldn't go as he would miss a session of his PWP group"

Most importantly I thank Anne Atkin & the grant donors for without their generosity our group would be a pipe dream for me and now our members can live ' Their Creative Dream ' no matter what Parkinsons throws at them."

Pamela

To help others like Nicole we need funds to seed the new groups. After that these gatherings are self -sufficient by raising money locally but for the first few months they need help.

How can you help

  • Just $20 will buy paint or paper
  • $40 will employ an art teacher for an hour to help improve skills and techniques
  • $100 will run the new group for a month and
  • $1000 will help set up a new group in the area of your choice

Contact Details

4 Briscoe Court
ENDEAVOUR HILLS VIC, 3802

(04) 3956 5454

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