I’ve been a professional fundraiser, a mother (sometimes married, sometimes not), a would-be novelist, a knitter, avid reader, pretty good cook, and, if we go back far enough, musical comedy star (summer camp version. Did you know “There’s No Business Like show Business?”)

Get ready to answer the call as I attempt to stride boldly into my next identity and perhaps provide some enlightenment to my fellow Parkies and those who care about us. Listen up!

Most recently of course, I’ve worn the blogger moniker with pride. I’m still very much committed to continuing to exercize my previously partially dormant and now Parkinson’s-enhanced frontal cortex, where all the creative stuff resides . Yes, there seems to be evidence that in some, Parkinson’s brings with it not just tremors and muscle stiffening and all sorts of nasty stuff, but also an increase in creativity.

I’m quite frankly having a blast as biweekly scribe with no agenda or boundaries. But i’m also gratified by the blog’s reception. To be honest, I started the blog as a self-help vehicle, as opposed to one designed to help others. I’m surprised and of course pleased that Parkinson’s sufferers and those close to them are finding my tiny little bits of – dare I call them “wisdom?” – useful.

So, the blog continues, at least for now. But taking advantage of my enhanced creativity which I attribute to Parkinson’s, I’ve decided to “upsell” my “brand” and take a “deep dive” into the world of podcasting. ( I also decided to try and impress you with my knowledge of today’s business-speak. How’d I do?)

You didn’t miss my podcast because it’s currently a work in progress, but coming soon, I hope. So, not exactly cutting to the chase… I’m seeking stories of newly-discovered talents and abilities – or enhancements of skills you already had – that might be attributable to Parkinson’s.

These are for a podcast episode on creativity in Parkinson’s. I hope to include some of the science around this along with YOUR stories. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND EXPERIMENTS WITH ME AT andib88@comcast.net. All requests for anonymity will be honored. You may end up on air, whether you’ve always been a bit of a ham, or performing is brand new to you.

Let’s say you became ill – which really sucks – but your fingers are just flying across those piano keys when they’re not tremoring. Or your strongest subjects were always in the sciences, but now you can’t seem to stop the poetry from flowing onto the page. You’ve done a so-so job maintaining your flower beds – the zinnias look pretty good this year – but you’ve taken your flower arranging to a level that just might pass muster in a Tokyo hotel lobby.

I very much look forward to hearing from you, and thank you for your help and support. Andib88@comcast.net.