Oceanport, NJ resident Marilyn Bucherer is one of thirteen artists whose work was selected to appear in the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s (PDF) 2013 Creativity and Parkinson’s Calendar. Her oil painting entitled, “A New Day,” is featured in the month of June in the nationally-distributed charity calendar which helps to inspire others and raise awareness of Parkinson's disease.
Ms. Bucherer, 67, was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease 20 years ago. Inspired by her grandfather who was a professional artist, she has been painting since her childhood. After retiring from a career as a special education teacher in the Long Branch school district, she began spending even more of her time on her favorite hobby. She says she has found it to be a release from her diagnosis.
“When I paint, it takes me away from the here and now of living with Parkinson’s disease,” says Ms. Bucherer.
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Ms. Bucherer soon found she was not alone in this sentiment. More than 300 other people with Parkinson’s have participated in PDF’s Creativity and Parkinson’s Project, which encourages those living with Parkinson’s to explore their creativity and its potentially beneficial effects. Ms. Bucherer’s oil painting of a rowboat on a beach shore was chosen among these individuals to be featured in PDF’s annual print calendar, which is distributed nationwide to nearly 20,000 people.
She adds, “I’m honored to be included in the calendar and help raise awareness. One of the biggest thrills was when my granddaughter presented the Creativity and Parkinson’s Calendar to her second grade class and shared my story of living with Parkinson’s.”
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Robin Elliott, Executive Director of PDF, said “We thank Ms. Bucherer for her contributions to the Creativity and Parkinson’s Project, which explores, supports and encourages the therapeutic value of creativity in Parkinson's. Her works, the other 12 featured in the calendar and the more than 300 in our online gallery, are a source of inspiration and hope to others affected by Parkinson’s disease.”
Those interested in ordering a free copy of the calendar or learning more about Ms. Bucherer’s artwork may contact the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation by calling (800) 457-6676, emailing info@pdf.org, or visiting www.pdf.org/creativity.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US. Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s.
About the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) is a leading national presence in Parkinson’s disease research, education and public advocacy. We are working for the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson’s by funding promising scientific research while supporting people living with Parkinson’s through educational programs and services. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated over $96 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and over $40 million to support national education and advocacy programs.
