Art Is Becoming a Medical Treatment | Making a Difference

Art Is Becoming a Medical Treatment | Making a Difference

Why this story matters: While we must remain clear-eyed about the challenges that remain, it is equally important to acknowledge the victories we win along the way. This story provides a much-needed balance to our daily perspective. Quick summary: This story highlights recent developments related to culture, showing how constructive action can lead to meaningful results. W hen Jamie Schuler teaches her Friday dance classes, some of her students stay seated. They follow her movements, some using just their upper or lower limbs, others syncing their hands and feet to the beat. Occasionally, the choreography leads to impromptu singalongs — one class spontaneously began belting the chorus of Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” At this particular class, held three days a week in Boulder, Colorado, most of the up to two dozen dancers have Parkinson’s disease or other conditions that impact their mobility. A mashup of physical therapy and artistic expression developed by New York’…