Parkinson’s Postings
Ann Miner Heimback
The announcement was made that a country band was coming to hold a talent show at the only “picture show” in our little Oklahoma town on Saturday morning. Most of the performers would be singing, and all of the singing would be country – or, let’s face it – hillbilly.
I was twelve years old and I wanted to enter the contest, as I loved to sing – still do. About the time I was practicing at home, someone’s aunt came to visit and she insisted that I should sing “I’m A Little Teapot”, and she proceeded to teach me the words and music, along with the arm movements that were to simulate a teapot. For those uninitiated, it goes like this:
I’m a little teapot, strong and stout. Here’s my handle and here’s my spout. When I’m all steamed up I will shout, “tip me over and pour me out.”
Yeah, I know.
The day came. One after the other of my schoolmates and others went to the stage and sang country songs, accompanied by a professional western band. Were they any good? I have no idea. I was too nervous to care.
When it was my turn, I slowly mounted the steps to the stage and told the band that I would sing “I’m A Little Teapot”.
“What?” The leader said. “We don’t know that one, can you sing without us playing?”
Why, yes, I could. I walked to the front of the stage and began.
I’m a little teapot, strong and stout, then I forgot the next line, remembered, and started over.
“I’m a little teapot strong and stout, here’s my handle and here’s my spout…”. Once again, I forgot the next line and I was frozen in place, with my arms simulating handle and spout. I held the pose for a moment, then repeated those actions…. several times.
I noticed that the audience of my peers was laughing uproariously, and then I saw the band. They were all mocking my actions. Handles and spouts were waving.
Well, I decided it was time to give up on that one, and I should have left the stage right then, but I still wanted to sing. Ah, the naiveté of a little girl. Instead, I told the band I would sing They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful, from Annie Get Your Gun.
As one may guess, the band didn’t know that one either, so acapella it was to be. I sang the beautiful, schmaltzy, inappropriate piece for the venue, and humbly left the stage.
Did I mention that this was also a live radio broadcast? Oh yes. And to support me, my mother, who could not leave work down the street, went to her car to listen. She reported later that she was almost too embarrassed to go back into the store, which she owned.
Well, what does this have to do with Parkinson’s disease? Absolutely nothing, I admit. But I was asked to write this little story, and I realized that I CAN tie it into singing.
Singing, for a Parkinson’s person, is very good therapy, both mentally and physically. Actually, that goes for all of us. After all, we know that music can soothe the soul. It can make us feel good and relax our minds. So why not try it?
A PD person, whether of good voice or not, can sing a hardy refrain, using the diaphragm. Try a marching song. Do you remember Onward Christian Soldiers? The BeeGees’ Stayin’ Alive? Sing loud and lusty. Make it an exercise – there’s that word again. This will strengthen your speaking voice.
Eliza, a friend who has Parkinson’s, pointed out an item in the June/July issue of AARP magazine. It’s a study that was published in Behavioral Neurosciences by Dr. Inzelberg of Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel. On page 19, there’s a piece about how Levadopa and dopamine agonists for Parkinson’s disease can potentially offer a surge in creativity. “Some patients develop new and impressive creative abilities, including painting and writing…” says the author.
Eliza reports, “I began to paint after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and am now quilting as well!!!! And I wondered why I was so obsessed with crafting and my art studio was always messy!!! Wonderful article and I would highly recommend crafting of any kind…or writing…(doing that as well) to my comrades, not only does it provide a sense of purpose it’s like a mini- vacation from Parkinson’s and the cares of daily life….especially if you don’t want to fight the crowds! I think it actually is my own form of physical or occupational therapy…and much more fun. When my husband and boys go camping I can set up my easel or sewing machine and feel like I can have fun too!! There are many types of creative activities out there…just begin to try some. It’s also great for depression!!!”
Thanks for the information, Eliza, and good for you!
For those of you who have asked me about help and ideas for you as a caregiver, I suggest that you contact the Inland Caregivers Resource Center, the office phone number is (800) 675-6694. Ask for Marbella at ext. 123, and she can refer you to the person who can be of assistance.
Happy singing and creating. I offer private lessons for anyone wanting to learn the teapot song.
Annminerheimback@yahoo.com; WWW.BugsintheBaptismal.com
