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Parkinson's & Poetry

Parkinson's & Poetry

By NW Parkinson's

Every week in April 2020, tune in to celebrate National Poetry & Parkinson's Awareness Month with a poem from the NW Parkinson's community. Featuring local Northwest poets, artists & therapists. Side-effects from poetry may include: improvements in speech, cognition, mood, connection & more. Submit your poems and read them at parkinsons.poetry.blog
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When the Personal is Universal: Judy & Steve Wood

Parkinson's & PoetryApr 03, 2020

00:00
12:02
A Quilt of Voices with Mari & the Women Affected by Parkinson's

A Quilt of Voices with Mari & the Women Affected by Parkinson's

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.

May 05, 202028:15
"Make Her Heard": Poetry by Janice Holland-Hill read by her daughter, Kate

"Make Her Heard": Poetry by Janice Holland-Hill read by her daughter, Kate

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.

May 02, 202015:18
The Poem Takes Charge: Gary & Rubye Vallat

The Poem Takes Charge: Gary & Rubye Vallat

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!

Apr 28, 202020:46
Bud + Sis: Researching Parkinson's & Poetry

Bud + Sis: Researching Parkinson's & Poetry

Who is scientific research meant for? Bette Jane Camp wanted to know the rhyme and reason behind hard-to-find and inaccessible research on Parkinson's. So, she invited her Master's-seeking brother, Jamie Camp, to discuss the nature of scientific journals, peer-reviewed articles, and the academic community's latest on Parkinson's. In our longest episode yet, they find the poetry in one of Jamie's favorite songs and in the extra effort that all kinds of writing ask of us.
Apr 25, 202059:09
Why We Show Up Each Day: Jordan Reads "The Apple Orchard" by Marjorie Laughlin

Why We Show Up Each Day: Jordan Reads "The Apple Orchard" by Marjorie Laughlin

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. 

Apr 21, 202010:22
Social Work, T. & the NW Parkinson's Community, ft. "Icicle Creek (Still Life)" by Marjorie Laughlin

Social Work, T. & the NW Parkinson's Community, ft. "Icicle Creek (Still Life)" by Marjorie Laughlin

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. 

Apr 15, 202013:49
Taking Chances with Marjorie Laughlin
Apr 10, 202026:12
Announcement & One of Bette Jane's Favorite Poets
Apr 07, 202005:30
When the Personal is Universal: Judy & Steve Wood

When the Personal is Universal: Judy & Steve Wood

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/

Apr 03, 202012:02
Pam Squared: Finding Poetry in Life with Parkinson's

Pam Squared: Finding Poetry in Life with Parkinson's

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.

Mar 31, 202011:09
Limericks In Lieu of the Pub

Limericks In Lieu of the Pub

For many of us, St. Patrick's Day 2020 celebrations were curtailed by our regional, national, and nearly global effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We found a way to keep the holiday afloat: NW Parkinson's community members Terry Harrigan and Bette Jane Camp chatted over the phone about limericks, Ireland, and, oddly enough, Canada. Terry even constructs a new hybrid poetic form based on our findings. Listen in for a timely limerick by Peter Beidler, as well as some non-history with Terry and Bette Jane. *We experienced some technical difficulties so please forgive the sound quality
Mar 24, 202011:12
Parkinson's = Creativity? Haiku with Renee LeVerrier
Feb 20, 202005:57
Poem Talk: Casey at the Bat

Poem Talk: Casey at the Bat

Fact-check: when did baseball, the American pastime, first become a sport? Send in your answer and source(s) to BetteJane@NWPF.org and we'll share them on this podcast!

Poem Talk features conversations about different poems read and recorded on Parkinson's & Poetry. In this episode, the readers of "Casey at the Bat" discuss (and digress) the history of baseball and their family's associations with music-as-poetry. A Bill Murray reference wraps up the chat.

Feb 13, 202003:27
Camps at the Bat

Camps at the Bat

BetteJane and her sister, Maggie, joined their dad for a group reading of his favorite poem, Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. Check out the bonus episode to hear them discuss the poem, song lyrics as poetry, and more!
Feb 12, 202005:40
A Bird in the Office with Terry Harrigan & Jordan Whitley

A Bird in the Office with Terry Harrigan & Jordan Whitley

NW Parkinson’s own Jordan, Terry & Bette Jane kick off Parkinson’s & Poetry with meter and rhyme. Who better to guide us than Emily Dickinson?
Feb 12, 202000:55
January 31, 2020

January 31, 2020

Jan 31, 202000:32