a 501(c)3 non-profit org.
Taking Parkinson's Back to the Future
It's the film that launched Michael J. Fox, backward then way, way forward. We know the hero Michael is for the PD community, but what can Marty McFly's heroic journey teach us about how to live better with PD? This is heavy.
As we are on the precipice of rebranding PD from "Movement Disorder" to a "Multidimensional Disease" that includes and values the emotional and psychosocial challenges of PD just as much as the physical elements, we must explore, discover and share our stories.
"This course surpassed the benefits of therapy.
Within a secure environment, we could express our reflections and emotions regarding the challenge of facing Parkinson's disease and navigate through the spectrum of feelings from day one (the day of diagnosis) to the present.
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My ability to speak has been hindered by Spasmodic Dysphonia (throat dystonia), causing my voice to tense up in the middle of a sentence. This issue posed a professional obstacle, preventing me from articulating effectively on my own successful podcast. However, through this course, led by Dr. Robert Cochrane, I came to the realization that even if I were to lose my voice, I could always rely on writing. This revelation significantly boosted my confidence."
Make Today Day One For You
This new, evidence-based, clinically-tested writing program is open to people with PD, their care partners, family members, and friends. We meet online for 90 minutes, once per week over the course of 16 weeks. Participants will write one page per week about their experience and share it on a password-protected Google Drive with classmates. Each participant is also expected to read and leave feedback on two of their fellow classmates pages as this is an ensemble-based program. We will start each session by moving to music that is themed to the stage of the Hero's Journey, then play improvisation games that support our growth, understanding and connection to one another. We will also watch clips from Back to the Future that demonstrate the Hero's Journey. All sessions will be recorded so that students who have to miss a session at its scheduled time can catch up at their convenience.
Michael J. Fox is a hero. Not only has he received the Medal of Freedom, he has spent the last 30 years fighting for all of us in the PD community.
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On Jan. 10, 2025, we hosted the Michael J. Fox Hero's Journey through his film career. We looked at clips of 12 different films against Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey and explored the themes that marked his remarkable acting career and how they paralleled and inspired his life of advocacy since.
You can watch the entire program in the video to the left.
Perry H., AZ
I would describe Dr. Robert's class as fun, challenging, imagination stretching, and deeply emotional. The Doc is amazing. I have surprised myself when I look over my own weekly assignments.
Shabbir L., CA
I think the most valuable thing I have learned is how much more of a storyteller I am than I thought I was.
The story telling, using metaphors, helps tremendously. They allow me to be more free to express my emotions. This has helped me to experience more freedom.
Stacy K., Italy
The Day One program has dramatically changed my life and reminded me of who I really am, what I’m made of, and where I want to go.
Research & Stories:
Rewriting Parkinson's disease
"If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything," Marty McFly