Nancy assistingContinuing our support of Painting with Parkinsons, a very worthwhile program for sufferers of Parkinsons Disease, The Hall Rotary Club again made a donation to support this excellent service.

Convener, Nancy Tingey was extremely grateful and all of the participants enthusiastically cheered when the cheque was handed over.

“The difference this program makes to people’s lives was evident from the moment they arrived. Firstly, there is the social aspect but in less than an hour you could see a distinct physical change in each of the participants as they began to paint,” says Chris Edwards, Rotary Club of Hall Community Director.

Painting with Parkinsons was founded by Hall resident Nancy Tingey in 1994 when she noticed her husband Bob responded well to art therapy.

By 1995 the group had 11 members and is now recognised as one of the best therapies.

paintingPainting with Parkinsons meets weekly in the Joseph Banks building at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. Bob Tingey is the only remaining member of the first intake the present group continues to practice the specially developed art therapy program to experience improved mental health and help them combat the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease.

In this supportive workshop situation, communication skills improve, opportunities for self expression increase and feelings of self worth are enhanced through creative art activity. Distressing physical symptoms, such as tremor, may also be alleviated.