In the last year, a small group of individuals in Kalamazoo has been teaching and coordinating dance classes for individuals with Parkinson’s to help address and counteract symptoms of the disease. Nancy Schullery, a WMU professor emerita; Nina Nelson, former chair and current professor in the WMU Department of Dance; Patricia Plasko, WMU alumna and Education for the Arts dance instructor; and a number of WMU dance majors and minors have come together to make the project a success.
Modeled after Dance for PD®, a highly acclaimed program developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group of NYC in collaboration with the Brooklyn Parkinson’s Support Group, the classes help exercise parts of the body affected by the disease in a safe way.
“What a joyous experience this has been!” Nina said. “In every class we make sure the dancers experience the beauty and expressive possibilities of dance, and this is accomplished by carefully selecting a variety of movements whose performance is supported by a vivid use of imagery. Music selection supports this physical and poetic experience. We are truly dancing together, not just exercising.”
A few years after Nancy’s husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, she had the good fortune of meeting a dance instructor who was teaching classes based on Dance for PD®. Fast-forward another few years when Nancy was participating at the World Parkinson Congress where she participated in a one-hour demonstration with the New York City director of Dance for PD®.
“I realized these methods had helped both Parkinson’s patients and their care partners around the world. I was hooked!” Nancy recalled. “On the spot, I wanted to bring Dance for PD® to Kalamazoo. Then I learned similar classes are offered in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and grew more determined than ever to make this happen for Kalamazoo area people.”
Nancy began to look for local resources and found them at the Friendship Village Senior Living Community, which was already serving as a venue for support group meetings for those afflicted by the disease, and Nina Nelson at WMU.
“Nina’s work in and familiarity with the community led to preparation of a successful grant application with the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, whose generosity allowed us to cover most of the training and travel expenses to New York City,” Nancy said.
Other funds were provided by the Kalamazoo Area Parkinson Support Group, the Michigan Parkinson Foundation™, along with faculty development funds from Western Michigan University and in-kind donations from Friendship Village.
Nina had worked on various projects with Patricia since coming to Kalamazoo, and invited her to join the project.
“I was already aware of the Dance for PD® program in NYC and very excited about the opportunity to develop one in Kalamazoo,” says Plasko.
The three traveled to NYC to receive training. Pat and Nina focused on how to instruct the classes, and Nancy on how to answer questions about the program and work with teachers to meet the needs of the audience. Then, Nina decided it was time to get WMU students involved.
“Many dance majors and minors are interested in combining their love and knowledge of dance with community service,” Nina explained. WMU students are helpful in that they create the flexibility to demonstrate movement adaptations. For example, if someone is unable to stand, a student can help adapt the movement for a seated position.
“Our group is very willing to try anything, and this leads to both laughter and grace,” Nina says. “Just last month, we were working on some “Broadway” steps and the whole group spontaneously started singing “Tea for Two” as we moved. It was a great example of the positive spirit of the group and their spontaneity and creativity.”
Both individuals with Parkinson’s and their caregivers are encouraged to attend the classes, which are held in Kalamazoo twice weekly at Friendship Village. Anyone interested may contact Nancy at nmsch@gmail.com.