When Sarah Humphrey was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), she knew no cure had yet been found for this debilitating condition. She wasn’t going to take this news ‘sitting down’ and looked into what was out there that could help slow the progression of her symptoms. In 2007, having heard of new research about the positive effects of dance and movement for people with PD, Sarah initiated Parkinson en mouvement with dance therapist Joanabbey Sack from Concordia’s Creative Arts Therapies department and physiotherapist Maura Fisher who works at the Royal Victoria Hospital as well as the Montreal Neurological Institute.
In 2009, with research indicating the advantages of voice training for people with PD, choir coach Lisa Lapointe joined the team to include singing classes. Other dance/movement therapists are now also part of the team.