My Parkinson Story is a weekly column featuring member of our community, sharing their stories with PD. We are interested in sharing a wide array of experiences, including yours! PD looks different in everyone, and affects everyone differently, including friends and family of those with PD. If you’d like to share your story on our blog, please email us.

Parkinson's disease has been a part of my life and family for as long as I can remember; my grandpa was diagnosed with the condition when I was little. From my earliest recollections of him, Parkinson's was an ever-present reality. I remember my dad telling me stories of my grandpa before his diagnosis, and those two people seemed so different. Grandpa was the son of Italian immigrants, the youngest and the only one truly connected to New York and being American. He was a proud officer of the NYPD. I've heard he was active, charismatic, and had a bit of a temper. I didn't know that guy.

My grandpa was sweet, a little awkward, and soft-spoken. I remember his white Velcro sneakers he wore because he couldn't tie his shoes. I loved this as a child because I couldn't tie my shoes either. He was a worrier, the type of person who triple-checked your directions before you left the house, stopping you multiple times while you tried to pull out of the driveway. He would watch until your car was no longer in sight. His garage was full of old tools, broken toys, and car and bike parts. He would disappear in there; you would hear him shuffle around, and he would come out with not quite what you needed or asked for. He told cheesy jokes terribly and would laugh before getting to the punchline. He loved tennis. He played tennis and racquetball until he couldn't anymore, and even then, he would collect tennis balls to bounce and roll.

Unlike my maternal grandparents, my grandpa and grandma couldn't visit frequently because his Parkinson's made it hard to travel, so we only saw him a few times a year. My grandpa passed away when I was in high school, and it wasn't until then that I realized how little I really knew about him.

Carolyn Guido Clifford teaching local Girl Scouts at the Cincinnati Ballet.
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Ballet. Credit: Dan Wood

Fast forward twenty-five years, and I started my position as the Director of Education at Cincinnati Ballet, charged with running the largest adaptive dance program in the region. After a single meeting with the Dancing with Parkinson's team and Kate Stark, I knew how impactful the program was on the lives of its participants and that it would be an amazing addition to the adaptive dance program at Cincinnati Ballet. There is so much to love about the work these amazing teaching artists did (and continue to do) with people with Parkinson's. I was especially moved by the community the participants and artists formed inside and outside the studio. I would have loved for my grandpa to have had a supportive community who better understood what he was experiencing as his condition progressed.

Students of the CB Moves for Parkinson’s classes at the Cincinnati Ballet.
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Ballet. Credit: Dan Wood

So, when they expressed interest in hosting their classes at Cincinnati Ballet under the CB Moves adaptive dance program, I was thrilled. It was important to me to keep the Dancing with Parkinson's team intact as they transferred their programming and trust to Cincinnati Ballet. This group of women, Kate, Mary, Nancy, and Janet, have invested so much into these dancers, the program, and the community. They continue to grow and learn about the best way to serve these amazing dancers. Their empathy and expertise are unmatched.

In September 2021, we hosted our first CB Moves for Parkinson’s class at the brand-new Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance. It was an emotional experience to witness the participants as they walked into the studio. Some arrived on their own, some were accompanied by their spouses or family members, and some came in groups with their fellow participants. And similarly to our youth classes, as the program attracted more participants, I watched a community of support, honesty, and kindness form. I wished my grandpa had that type of community. He had friends, family, and medical support, but he didn't have anyone that understood what he was going through and who could just talk to him about it without barriers.

I find great joy in the lightheartedness and playfulness incorporated into the class. As I observe the students' laughter and silliness, I am reminded that dance is not solely a serious art form but can also be incredibly enjoyable.

In stewarding these classes at the Cincinnati Ballet, I feel like I am honoring my grandpa's memory in a meaningful way. It brings me great pride to be a part of a program that not only supports those with Parkinson's but also creates a community where they can experience the joy of dancing and being together, balancing the challenges of their condition with moments of lightheartedness and fun.

Learn more about CB Moves for Parkinson's