Cheer the Arts and Boo Parkinson's with one breath

Coping with Parkinson's means making the most of dwindling resources. So when an opportunity arises to do two things at once, I pounce. Slowly. I know multi-tasking isn't my strong suit (honestly, is it anyone's?) But here was a chance to make my philanthropic dollar do double duty by working for the arts and against PD.

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How did you do that, I hear you asking. Simple. I backed a project on Kickstarter called Kinetics. As explained by the author, "Kinetics" is a play by British actor and playwright Sue Wylie. It's about the woman with Parkinson's Disease and a bright but troubled teenager who blows off steam by Free-running, or Parkour. The aim of the play was to "raise awareness, challenge misconceptions about  Parkinson's and help people with the condition cope." The play has toured in England, and now they want to take it to the World in the form of a film. You can see a pitch from Ms. Wylie here.

So what are you waiting for? Now is your chance to be a medical Medici, a mini-mogul!  They are almost a fifth of the way to their fund-raising goal, and I think it's clear they are going to make it, but you can help ensure they do by sending them some money, then taking some of the credit for getting this worthy project launched.

BTW, I have to point out, I was among the first to associate PD and Parkour, in this cartoon from 9 years ago!

Want to Help make an Inspirational Documentary About A Parkinson's Patient?

The movie trailer above is for an unfinished documentary about a South Dakota man who has advanced Parkinson's Disease. He still rides his bike (a sleek three-wheel recumbent) as he commutes to his bakery. Now he plans a ride 300 miles across South Dakota to inspire others with PD, and without it.

The documentary makers are raising money through Kickstarter. The filmmaker, Andrew Rubin recently wrote me to say "The film is endorsed and working with the National Parkinson Foundation, the Davis Phinney Foundation, LSVT Global, and other organizations. Our Executive Producer Stephen Nemeth has produced a vast range of socially conscious films such as Academy Award nominated War/Dance, Fuel, Flow and more. Finally, we are fiscally sponsored by the International Documentary Association a 501(c)(3) arts organization. "

If all this seems bona fide to you, and you would like to help get the film finished, click here to learn more.