 |
 |
San Diego Union Tribune, CA Their voices sing for fun and health By Natasha Lee June 28, 2003 HIDDEN TREASURE The Tremble Clefs is one of the people, places and things that make East County extraordinary. This "Hidden Treasure" was among readers' response to our question: "What Makes East County Special?" The Tremble Clefs is a voice therapy, singing program for people with Parkinson's disease. The group rehearses weekly in Lemon Grove at Monte Vista Village, and performs at venues throughout San Diego County. The Tremble Clefs is sponsored by the Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego. For more information, call Karen Hesley, group director at (619) 445-8623 The group of singers resembled a New Orleans jazz troupe – the kind found singing and dancing along Bourbon Street. Clapping to the beat of a tambourine, the Tremble Clefs paraded through The Orchard's auditorium in grand style with its swinging rendition of "When the Saints Come Marching In." Their enthusiasm quickly spread as audience members at the Point Loma retirement villa joined in. Most of the members have varying degrees of Parkinson's disease. They practice like every other choral group but, for them, singing is more therapeutic. "It's not the cure for Parkinson's, but it helps a hell of a lot," said Mike Collins, who has been with the group since it started about a year ago. For Collins and the other 19 performers, singing helps strengthen vocal chords and correct speech. The disease is a degenerative disorder that attacks the central nervous system, often causing weak vocal chords and slurred articulation. The group, which was begun to provide voice therapy, also offers its members chances to meet other Parkinson's patients. Under the direction of speech therapist, Karen Hesley, the group meets weekly at a retirement village in Lemon Grove. Members come from all over San Diego County, including La Mesa, El Cajon and Spring Valley. They do breathing and voice muscle exercises, as well as rehearse their material. Hesley, who works in El Cajon, started the program – which is an offshoot of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment – in Arizona nine years ago. After relocating to San Diego County two years ago, Hesley began the Lemon Grove program. She also helped start a sister singing program in Encinitas. According to the Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego, 15,000 people in the county are affected by the disorder. Dr. Ronald Hendrix, CEO of the nonprofit association, said the program is beneficial. "Very seldom is there a win-win in this type of situation," he said, "This is a win for patients on all sides, they get to do something that's fun and therapeutic." Judy Show, who has suffered from Parkinson's for 12 years, said she has changed since joining the Tremble Clefs. Before, Show said, she felt less confident about day-to-day tasks. "No matter how hard you try, you can't do what you used to do," Show said. A year's worth of practice later, the Poway woman said she now has a new perspective. "It's not what you can't do, it's what you want to do and you focus on that," she said. Natasha Lee is a community news assistant in the East County office. SOURCE: San Diego Union Tribune, CA http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20030628-9999_2m28tremble.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn