Art Is Part of the New Hope in Parkinson’s
- bromack
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
Art Is Part of the New Hope in Parkinson’s
What if art isn’t simply something that makes life with Parkinson’s better, but something that helps people reclaim parts of themselves Parkinson’s has tried to take away?
I was deeply moved by a recent conversation between Dr. Rachel Dolhun of The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Dr. Bas Bloem about the emerging evidence surrounding art and Parkinson’s.
They discussed how creative engagement may reduce stress and anxiety, support brain health, and bring people into a flow state—a place where, for a time, they may forget about Parkinson’s. These positive effects can linger after the activity ends.
But one observation stayed with me most: art reminded participants of their humanity.
Parkinson’s has a horrible way of stripping this away. This is where art becomes practical and even medicinal.
At Yes, And…X, we see this through improvisation, storytelling, filmmaking, and Cinema Therapy. Creative engagement does more than occupy or entertain. It can restore agency, strengthen connection, and help people rediscover identities larger than a diagnosis.
It can also bring families together. As Dr. Bloem emphasized, we should be talking about families with Parkinson’s, not only individuals with Parkinson’s. Art gives everyone a meaningful role—not simply as patient or care partner, but as participant, collaborator, and creator.
This is the idea behind our new 16-week Cinema Therapy: Rocky program, which just began with a remarkable group of participants. Each week, we use music, improvisation, scenes from Rocky, the Hero’s Journey, and creative writing to help participants explore one essential question:
Who's in your corner?
Our next online class begins August 5 and meets Wednesdays from 1:00–2:30 p.m. Pacific. No previous writing, acting, or improvisation experience is needed. You only need curiosity, a willingness to participate, and a desire to discover what you might still create.
Rocky isn’t ultimately about winning a championship. It’s about refusing to let life determine your worth—and becoming someone worth cheering for.
If you or someone in your Parkinson’s family is ready to step into the ring with us, we would love to have you.
Art is not peripheral to living well with Parkinson’s. It is part of the new hope of living our best.
Warmly,
Robert Cochrane, PhD Founder, Yes, And…X
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