Would you like to help me tell our story?

[MichaelOM]

I am a playwright of very little success at this point, but I am getting lots of encouragement and compliments from successful playwrights and other qualified theater folks here in Chicago and even elsewhere. I am working on a play about PD and it's impact on relationships. I want my protagonist to experience a full range of symptoms, including hallucinations (which I have NOT experienced myself). I want it to be credible, self-deprecatingly funny, and raw, but not mellow dramatic or whiney. I need some advisors, and would like to find some other PD people to review and critique my work and to share their experiences. Don't know how long it will take or how much help I'll need, so I'll just begin at the beginning. Any takers? If yes, please let me know and I will send you a completed scene. Thanks, Mike

[TaniaV]

Hi Mike I would love to read your scence.. I was dx at the age of 34yrs and now 39yrs ... my PD and Fibromyalgia has went into high gear... so I am on a leave of absence from my employer till end of May so this would give something to do ... As far as impacts to the relationship not sure what you are wanting ? funny story I had just recently fallin upstairs (yes I said up the stairs ha ha ) and got a nice shiner .. by the time my boyfriend came home he was calling all my family to assure them it wasn't him beating me up ha ha .. look forwarding to hearing from you

[MichaelOM in reply to TaniaV]

Thanks, Tania. I'll need your email address to send it to you. Also, as unlikely as it this that my play will ever be produced professionally, I think I should be clear about how I see our relationship going. Anything you contribute will be strictly voluntary on your part. However, If I ever make any money on it myself, I commit to donating 50% of any net income to PD related charities. I hope this caveat doesn't change your mind (no hard feelings if it does). I'm really not expecting anything big to happen. It's just that I witnessed the creation of a stage play concept in the early 1980's that eventually blossomed into an international hit. There were many misunderstandings among those involved at the beginning when money became an issue. Thanks, Mike

[redbudlady]

Hi Mike,

Yes, I'd like to assist you. I'm not a playwright, but I am a published poet. I worked for the Arizona Theater Company for six years and during that time I attended at least eight plays per season. I was also a member of the Odyssey Storytelling Group and The Dead Poets Performance Group. So, I have a grasp of what excellent theatre can and should be!

[MichaelOM in reply to redbudlady]

Thanks, RedBudLady. I'll need your email address to send it to you. Also, as unlikely as it this that my play will ever be produced professionally, I think I should be clear about how I see our relationship going. Anything you contribute will be strictly voluntary on your part. However, If I ever make any money on it myself, I commit to donating 50% of any net income to PD related charities. I hope this caveat doesn't change your mind (no hard feelings if it does). I'm really not expecting anything big to happen. It's just that I witnessed the creation of a stage play concept in the early 1980's that eventually blossomed into an international hit. There were many misunderstandings among those involved at the beginning when money became an issue. Thanks, Mike

[honeycombe3]

Hello Mike,

I'd be interested in helping but I can't take on a large commitment as my keyboard skills are not good & I get very tired. I'm not sure what message you want to convey but it might be misleading to have one character present the full range of symptoms as this seldom happens. Just a thought. Angela (UK)

[MichaelOM in reply to honeycombe3]

Thanks, Honeycombe. Any level of support would be welcome. I'll need your email address to send it to you. Also, as unlikely as it this that my play will ever be produced professionally, I think I should be clear about how I see our relationship going. Anything you contribute will be strictly voluntary on your part. However, If I ever make any money on it myself, I commit to donating 50% of any net income to PD related charities. I hope this caveat doesn't change your mind (no hard feelings if it does). I'm really not expecting anything big to happen. It's just that I witnessed the creation of a stage play concept in the early 1980's that eventually blossomed into an international hit. There were many misunderstandings among those involved at the beginning when money became an issue. Thanks, Mike

[bawford]

Hii Mike - this is a wonderful venture to take on. It has been my experience these almost 10yrs (wow- that surprised me!) that this has to be a very shy desease. Our support group grew from 5 to now a nearly 30 in a few years. And the first thing people have told me was 'I felt so alone.' the second was 'I didn't know there were so many people with such variety symptoms.' Yes! I will help in any way I can. I come to Rush twice a year and visit Chicago other times of the year. SW MI is practically your neighbor. Best to you. Barbara

[redbudlady]

Mike,

How do I provide my email for just your eyes? I don't mind sharing it with you but don't want it listed in a public forum. Money? Who cares! I want to support this as a vehicle for passing on the "Reality" of dealing with PD on a daily basis to the general public.

Peace,

Red Bud Lady

[MichaelOM]

So sorry! Here's MY email ... mcgowan8451@gmailcom

[TaniaV]

I agree.. $$$ is not why I want to help

[ram927]

Mike good idea the more people that have a working knowledge of PD the better they, the public, will understand it. I was working as a Park Ranger when my DX in fall of 07. A long story made short I was given a very poor performance evaluation by a supervisor who knew little of PD or cared. Due to other supervisors I still work as a NPS ranger. So knowledge of this thing called PD is important. I have taken in the role of knowledge giver and try to explain PD through my actions.A note I have in my computer is

I am just one and although I can not do everything I can do something I will not let what I cannot do keep me from doing what I can do. MY PD is from my time in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange. so my role comes from that of a veteran and a PD Parkie. Would like to help where I can

[PatV in reply to ram927]

ram927: i hope you are getting benefits. I feel for our veterans and wish I could do more. TBI's are the next epidemic and equally misunderstood. (My daughter acquired this after a brain tumor) Glad you're still employed. Keep on truckin'

[LizaJane]

Hi micheal, I've had pd for 8-9 yrs. and I'm 49, I would love to help with your play but I can give imput, its my husband who said he would help read over things. My husband Tj is a great writer, one of his gifts and it seems to run in his family and would have imput from the caregivers side. He said that he would love to read over things.. Let me know what you need and we are here for you.. Lisa

[larry33b]

Sure mike, I'll pitch in. I spent 13 years in the NYC theater scene as an actor, director, and producer. Send it to [e-mail]. I'll be glad to particpate.

[gran5-]

Mike, I tried to send you an email it was returned, fatal flaw! this was my message:

Hi Mike, I hope it is OK with you that I skipped by the other responses and e'd you directly. I would be very interested in getting involved in your project. Writing is one of my passions. Writers block is one of my demons :=( I have witnessed how much more exposure MS gets in the public eye and would love to bring our stories out. Enough for now. Be warned!!! I can get rolling once I've jumped over the block

[Court]

Hi Mike. I would be interesting in helping with this project. Not sure that I can contribute very much but I believe Parkinsons deserves all the publicity it can get. Most people don't have a clue about the many symptoms that people can suffer with and think it only involves a tremor. If only this were the case.

[Hidden]

Sounds like a wonderful idea. Praying all works out well and your play will educate many.

[jillfd]

Great to see the level of expertise willing to participate in this. Good Luck, Mike.

[wifeofparky]

Who knows maybe someone will buy your play and make it into a movie. the world needs an educarion.

[Hidden]

i had an awesome marriage for over 25 years, just had Dbs surgery, now suddenly my wife is leaving me (im not the man she married) my kids are following her lead. Had to quit my job as a medic, have had this disease for 12 years or so, now for the first time in mjy life i am alone. i only get $900 a month from disability cause i am only 42. would be glad to help if i can.

[moonswife]

Count us in on your project. It is high time someone presented our challenges and emphasize that we cope with laughter sometimes because the opposite reaction would be terror.

Love to read a scene, will provide email. Live in Socal, know some industry folks if that would help.

Might add have gone thru 2 DBS surgeries, face Home Depot and Lowes security scanner NOW turning DBS off. Glad wife can still "turn me on" Just wish she did not use that "mute" button so often.

[MagicMax]

Hi Mike,

I just finished reading the best book ever. It is called: "Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease." Anne Cutter Mikkelsen tells of her life with husband Mike, an artist with PD, and how there marriage started to die as PD progressed, how vacations in Mexico helped, and how they moved to Bellingham, WA to aid in rebuilding their marriage. Anne is a French chef and provides lots of yummy recipes along the story line. Anne starts by providing a comprehensive review of PD. At 190 pages and under $9.00, it is the best book of many that I have read. While reading it, I thought: what a great play this would make. Hope it helps...

[MichaelOM in reply to MagicMax]

Thanks, Magic. I'll look for it. Mike

[ladyhowell79]

Hello Mike. I'd love to help. I think you have a wonderful idea. I'd be happy to read some of what you've written and I can also share my experience. Good luck to you in your work. God bless!