BY BROOKE POULSON SMTD PUBLICITY INTERN
brought together people from diverse backgrounds, it has united enemies, ultimately is has shaped society into what it is today. From a historical perspective we have always creat-
ed, enjoyed, and lived with music. So, when we try to comprehend the amount of influence music has on our lives, it may not actually be fully understandable, but, for some, they recognize the physical influences or alterations that music has had on them. Out of the seven billion people living on earth, ten million are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Out of those ten million people with the condition, I was able to meet one of the most incredible ones. Willa Mac Pawlikowski or “Billie” has Parkinson’s disease, but she sees it far differently than how her doctors define it as, not a disease at all, actually. She believes that the condition is one of her life’s best gifts, and music is one of the best medicines. Parkinson’s may denotatively mean a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement, but to Billie, her movement was simply just being redefined when she was diagnosed. Being an observer of CSU Music Therapy’s Parkinson’s singing group, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Billie. Before I even met her face-to-face, I was inspired by her, and I think that says a lot. Billie may be retired now, but her youthful charm is contagious, really everything about her is contagious. She was formally diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013, but she knew long before that she had the condition. Of five first cousins in her family, all were diagnosed with Parkinson’s, herself included.
I S S UE 1 9, M AY 2 0 1 7 / T HE GR E E N ROOM THE UN IVE RSIT Y CEN T ER FO R TH E ARTS
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usic is known as one of the most influential mediums.It has
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