Muhammad Ali is often credited for having written the shortest poem in English language, “Me We”. As well as his sporting and lyrical achievements, Ali would in later life be affected by Parkinson’s.
We have teamed up with Parkinson’s UK to help shine a light with poems on World Parkinson’s Day, 11 April. We would like Scotland’s writers of all abilities to submit a short poem (around 10 lines) telling the world how Parkinson’s has affected you or someone you care about. We welcome poems in English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic.
Scottish poet Vicki Feaver has written and performed “Ode (to Parkinson’s)”.
Share your poem on the social media of your choice – Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. You could record your poem on TikTok or YouTube too. Remember to use the hashtag #WorldParkinsonsDay and be sure to tag @ParkinsonsUK and @ByLeavesWeLive (on Twitter).
Your poem can be about any aspect of living with Parkinson’s. It could be funny, happy, cheeky, sad or thoughtful. You could write about:
- receiving a diagnosis
- everyday life living with Parkinson’s
- living or working with someone who has Parkinson’s
- the stages of Parkinson’s
- meeting others with Parkinson’s
- a particular symptom or challenge caused by Parkinson’s
- any opportunities you’ve had because of Parkinson’s
- your hopes or fears for the future.
It doesn’t have to be one of these, use your imagination and get creative. It’s your Parkinson’s story.
Parkinson’s UK has produced a webpage with further information on how to get involved.
Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s in the UK. And it’s the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. People with Parkinson’s don’t have enough of the chemical dopamine because some of the nerve cells that make it have died. We don’t yet know exactly why people get Parkinson’s. Researchers think it’s a combination of age, genetic, and environmental factors that cause the dopamine-producing nerve cells to die.