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CREATIVE CORNER
The works on this page have been created by members of Parkinson's New Zealand.
The following artworks are by Pippa Carvell.
Having Parkinson's you get told you can't do this and you can't do that. I am a quiet person, and through my art I can shout, my art work is my scream.
All the lines in my line drawings start as straight lines. They get warped by the tremor in my hand. Parkinson's creates the art, but it can ruin it too.
I've used the term FOG here to describe how Parkinson's fogs your brain.
Some of my earliest art was pictures of fish. I imagined the different fish you would see if you put a big net into the sea and pulled it up.
When you have Parkinson's you undergo all sorts of investigations and tests, it makes you feel like a lab rat. The key in the picture signifies finding a cure for Parkinson's. The flower is because I think if you've got Parkinson's, just live with it and do your best.
Let’s Rock ‘n Roll
If the Fifties came around again
And rock ‘n roll was new
I’d be shaking with the best of them
And rocking all day through
Even on the keyboard
My fingers dance and bound
With complete and mad abandon
They jump and bump around
They type in King James’ English
Every ‘the’ becomes a ‘thee’
And then while all unknowing
I see a row of ‘eeeees’
So when I hear the music
And the walls begin to rock
I’ll shake and roll and rattle
As I dance around the clock
And then its time for supper
And the food I pass around
The muffins join the dancing
And they topple to the ground
We’re the movers and the shakers
And the world has need of us
So we rock ‘n roll together
From morning until dusk
Beverley Fraser
Parkinson's Disease
Yes, the damn thing creeps on slowly
A good attitude won't keep you lowly.
There are ways and means you know,
To keep you smiling and on the go.
When turning from left to right in bed,
Count how many moves instead
Of feeling frustrated 'cause it takes a while
Then better it next time, with a smile.
Automatic life style is what we had
Now it's to manual, it's not so bad
Sure it slows one down a bit, then a lot
But the thing to remember - don't lose the plot.
A button hook, a stand for your book,
Slip on shoes, plus more, just look
What can be achieved by looking around
And seeing what else can be found.
With medication, it's really a must
Try taking it regularly but don't bust
If you miss one or are jolly late
It's not the end of the world mate.
You can still go for walks, drive the car
You're a whole lot better off by far
Than a lot of people in the world out there
Who would gladly swop places, that's clear.
So don't sit and mope around
Get out and enjoy life and you'll be bound
To feel a lot better at the end of the day,
For you will always find there's another way
SO GO TO IT - WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Margaret Palmer, 2001
The following poem was submitted by David Belz, Editor, Tawa Catholic News, on behalf of John Patrick Keenan (15 February 1932 - 20 March 2008) who had Parkinson's in his later years. The verses that follow were written by Patrick and were included in the order of service for his funeral.
P.D.
With me, I see P.D. as my
Debilitationg incapacity,
And in the long run, will see,
P.D. make a betta fellah out of me.
Good days, bad days, we all have these
We need to compare, decide, prefer
Select your place,
In mankind's happy space amongst your people's family.
With God's will, our wisdom growing,
Our inner strength in us awakening
The strength to suffer patiently
the sufferings that indeed are blessings.
I used to walk fast, man
Real fast, ask anyone
A real high-stridin honkey
I walk slow now, 'cept when I'm dancing,
Then I go.....slow, slow, quick, quick, wow.....
Watching others with maybe greater woes
The laughing man, with crying eyes, wherein
does his strength lie,
The singing child, with songs to come and go on,
And not a cry.
Lovely lady, with the sad caring smile of Mothers
Let me like these, meet each new day
Blessing each holy morning.
John Keenan
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