A Parkinson Experience: In Poetry and Pastels
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Jeffery has a two year old Grand-daughter, and his poem "Grand-dad's friend "Parky" is written through her eyes: "My Grand-dad has a friend, Parky is his name: He makes him shake and sway about, it's such a shame!" …… ending "Don't worry says Grand-dad he's my friend forever: But he hates his friend Parky, I know I'm clever!" Poetic descriptions of Symptoms E.g Bradykinesia (slowness of movement) "My hand seems to dwell, like a ship in a swell, .my foot hangs in space it can't start the race…" And the haunting description of living with the tremor "Is you tremor rather like mine…" To the thought provoking Landscape Lives: "Appearing into view are the branches of a gnarled oak tree. They have seen better times thinking of my limbs and me."
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About the Book
Pauline read Jeffery's descriptive poems about living with Parkinson's Disease and agreed to illustrate the work. The poems cover topics such as first diagnosis, followed by a description of the most common symptoms (due to the complexity of the condition, the individual’s experience with symptoms can differ widely). There is a section covering therapy and treatments jeffery has received over the last 6 years, with the second half of the book containing poems about everyday life hinting at any frustrations experienced, both (physical and emotional) by the author, or one of his Parkinson’s acquaintances. The book has been published as a pilot and sold to raise the profile of Parkinson's Disease and funds for his local branch of the charity, Parkinson's UK. It was very well received locally, by people living with the effects of Parkinson's. That is those with the Condition, Family, Carer's and medical staff, who are involved in treating the condition. It gives an interesting incite into some of the aspects of the disease.
About the Author
In 2002 the author aged 52 years was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He worked as an inspection engineer after graduating in 1973 until he retired in 2007. During his eighth year living with Parkinson's Disease, he discovered he had a tendency to think in poetic meter and rhymes. He put this to use and in 2010 wrote a collection of poems about Parkinson's disease. At about the same time he met Pauline Clough, a lifelong artist who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, early September 2001. All her life she has worked in Pastels and has produced some beautiful paintings and prints. In the 1980's she was on the board member of the UK Pastels Society. She has painted since her early teens and despite her condition, continues to exhibit paintings in UK Pastels Society events.