Parkinson's Patients Usher in the Holidays with Song

'Tis the Season for Singing as Parkinson's Patients Usher in the Holidays with Song

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 4, 2006 - Music is making a difference in the lives of people with Parkinson's Disease at Florida Hospital, and this holiday season, the community had an opportunity to see how!  That's because these people with Parkinson's Disease hosted a special concert as a commencement to their music therapy classes, which the American Academy of Neurology recognizes as a treatment for the disease.  The group sang a medley of songs, including classic holiday tunes, during the Florida Hospital Parkinson Outreach Center's Winter Open House.  This was a special moment as Parkinson's patients along with their care-partners displayed their vocal talents and sang their hearts out!

Parkinson's Disease is a motor system disorder that results in tremors or trembling, stiffness in limbs, slowness in movement, and impaired coordination and balance.  Music therapy is a free service offered by the Florida Hospital Parkinson Outreach Center.  It is led by a licensed music therapist and is offered twice each month for one hour to Parkinson's patients and their care-partners.  The program focuses on improving patients' communication skills through volume and annunciation exercises, strengthening the mouth and throat muscles to decrease swallowing difficulties, and providing an emotional boost for the patients. 

For more information, please contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

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