FAIRHOPE, Alabama -- Susie Glickman is an amazing line dancer. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s not because she can execute the Cupid Shuffle or the Electric Slide better than most. <\/p>\n
Rather, it is because every step takes extra effort now that this 67-year-old Fairhope woman has Parkinson\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have it on my left side,\u201d said Glickman, who was diagnosed with the chronic, progressive movement disorder in 2007. \u201cI went in to see my doctor because my left arm didn\u2019t feel like it was part of my body. When I found out it was Parkinson\u2019s, I was shocked. I wanted to find out as much as I could about the disease.\u201d <\/p>\n
At first glance, Glickman\u2019s condition isn\u2019t obvious. <\/p>\n
While moving a little slower these days, Glickman is fairly nimble. But this spunky grandmother struggles with tremors, weakness and balance issues. <\/p>\n
Turning pages can be tiresome \u2014 or downright impossible. Often, she succumbs to exhaustion. <\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Glickman considers herself lucky. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe mid 60s is the prime age to get Parkinson\u2019s,\u201d she said. \u201cIt usually progresses slowly when you are diagnosed in your 60s. But the younger you have it, the faster it progresses.\u201d <\/p>\n
Glickman manages to move steadily while leading line-dancing classes in Mobile and Baldwin counties. The Los Angeles native also moonlights as a part-time joke writer for longtime employer and close friend Dolly Parton. <\/p>\n
\u201cI used to be Dolly\u2019s personal secretary,\u201d she proclaimed, her eyes dancing with delight. \u201cNow I write the jokes she uses at her appearances.\u201d <\/p>\n
Today, Glickman has combined her dancing and writing talents to pursue her latest passion: educating others about Parkinson\u2019s. <\/p>\n
Glickman recently wrote, produced, choreographed and starred in \u201cDancing Feet Help Defeat Parkinson\u2019s,\u201d a 4-minute, 9-second video featuring 175 dancers at the James P. Nix Adult Activity Center in Fairhope doing the \u201cParkinson\u2019s Disease Stomp Line Dance.\u201d <\/p>\n
She entered the short film in the American Academy of Neurology Foundation\u2019s third annual Film Festival competition to raise awareness about why more research is needed to cure brain diseases, such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, stroke, autism, Parkinson\u2019s disease and multiple sclerosis. <\/p>\n
Judges will select the first- and second-place winners and the third-place winner will be chosen by popular vote. Nearly 300 films have been submitted since the festival began in 2010 and Glickman\u2019s video is among 104 in this year\u2019s contest. <\/p>\n
Voting opened last week and people can view and vote for their favorite video through March 8 at http:\/\/www.NeuroFilmFestival.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n The winner of the \u201cFan Favorite\u201d award will receive a certificate and recognition at the 2012 Neuro Film Festival on April 22 in New Orleans. The festival will be held in conjunction with the foundation\u2019s 64th annual meeting, the world\u2019s largest meeting of neurologists with 10,000 attendees. <\/p>\n \u201cMy goal is to get as many people aware of this as possible and then get them to vote,\u201d Glickman said. \u201cWe have a really good chance of winning because of the video\u2019s originality.\u201d <\/p>\n In the film, a room packed with men and women wearing bright red T-shirts and white pants follow Glickman in a dance set to the tune \u201cJingle Bells.\u201d <\/p>\n As the video begins, participants shuffle their feet and wave their arms in unison, following Glickman\u2019s lead. Before the song plays, Glickman\u2019s voice can be heard reciting \u201cThe Parkinson\u2019s Plea,\u201d a poem she penned. <\/p>\n Then the music begins: \u201cParkinson\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, it\u2019s a brain disease. Parkinson\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s brings us to our knees. Parkinson\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s makes our bodies freeze. Parkinson\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, help us cure it please ...\u201d <\/p>\n Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson\u2019s disease. The cause is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage its symptoms. The primary motor signs of Parkinson\u2019s disease include the following. <\/p>\n Tremor of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face. Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement. Rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk. Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. <\/p>\n Glickman is hopeful her film will place in the top three. But, she says, \u201cI think the video already is a winner.\u201d <\/p>\n She asked Parkinson\u2019s patients, their families and caregivers as well as friends from church and her line-dancing students in Fairhope and Mobile to appear in the video. <\/p>\n \u201cI solicited everyone in town,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n When the day of filming arrived, Glickman was overwhelmed. <\/p>\n \u201cWe had 175 people in the room and I didn\u2019t know they would come until they showed up \u2014 and the mood was captured perfectly,\u201d she said. \u201cMost of the people didn\u2019t line dance, but it turned out to be amazing.\u201d <\/p>\n Glickman has been working for Parton since the 1970s, convincing the entertainer to hire her after showing up consistently at several of Parton\u2019s California appearances, offering her lyric writing services. <\/p>\n \u201cI told everyone I would be working for Dolly Parton one day,\u201d Glickman said. \u201cEventually, Dolly said, \u2018Give that squirrelly fan a job.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n Glickman moved to Fairhope in the 1980s after working with Baldwin County native and author Fannie Flagg on Parton\u2019s television show. <\/p>\n \u201cI got sand in my shoes and that was it,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n Parkinson\u2019s may have slowed Glickman\u2019s gait. But neither age, nor a progressive neurological disease can erode Glickman\u2019s determination. <\/p>\n The same tenacity that landed her a job with Parton years ago is evident in her recent project. <\/p>\n \u201cI truly believe that if you put your mind to something, you can get it done,\u201d said Glickman, flashing a smile. \u201cThis film was a dream of mine.\u201d <\/p>\n By LESLEY FARREY PACEY, Correspondent <\/p>\n<\/p>\n See the original post: FAIRHOPE, Alabama -- Susie Glickman is an amazing line dancer. It\u2019s not because she can execute the Cupid Shuffle or the Electric Slide better than most. Rather, it is because every step takes extra effort now that this 67-year-old Fairhope woman has Parkinson\u2019s disease. Continue reading
\nFairhope Parkinson's patient enters film in contest to awareness of disease<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"