An interview with Comedian Phil Jerky July 17, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
Witty, crude, and irreverent, Phil shares the more ridiculous side of living with a disability.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I am Phil. I live in Birmingham in the UK. I have an eight-year-old son and a wonderful partner. I work full time for a charity as a fundraiser.
I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease in July 2017.
Since then, my initial awareness raising was with friends and family. After that, I did some fundraising events for Parkinson’s charities. But most if not all my awareness, raising of Parkinson’s is done through my stand-up comedy.
I call myself an aspiring, stand-up comedian, because it’s Not my full-time job as much as I would like it to be.
Can you tell me more about your comedy act?
I make jokes about what it’s like for me with my Parkinson’s and the associated ridiculous things you encounter as someone living with a disability. My jokes are mostly short or one-liners, often irreverent sometimes rude sometimes a bit dark, but mostly funny, I hope. People have said to me that not only do I make them laugh but I also make them aware of what it’s like to be a young person with a neurological condition and the gain some knowledge in a fun way about young onset Parkinson’s disease.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
It comes from a personal interest. Mostly Parkinson’s is a horrible thing to live with and I want to make people aware of its difficulties so that they can understand. I have some hope for a cure, but to be honest, I doubt it will happen in my lifetime. What I really hope for is better treatments, so that people like me can live with Parkinson is a bit easier and better support for living, as for wife as possible with a condition.
What effect can comedy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
To be honest, I struggle with the term fighters, but it’s so much better than calling us sufferers. I feel that fighters can make people feel bad when they have days or weeks where they can’t fight it, or overcome by apathy, or when they just want to be themselves. I see myself not as someone who is brave or inspirational, but also not someone to be pitted. I’m just a normal bloke who got unlucky.
But I’ll get off my soapbox now and say that Comedy is great for people with Parkinson’s. Comedy at its best, like any kind of entertainment, can take you out of yourself and give you a break from the harsh realities of everyday life. When that happens, it’s the best. A good laugh in a room full of people releases important chemicals and can ultimately make you feel more alive.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your comedy?
With my Comedy, I want to keep gigging as much as I can and continue to make people laugh. I’m excited about the future with it and hopeful about where it may lead – with no expectations.
What events do you participate in?
I mostly do stand-up gigs in clubs and pubs in the UK. But more and more. I am also doing Comedy at Parkinson’s fund-raising events.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
For me on any social media platform you can think of. Just search for Phil Jerky. Are you full list of all my social media handles is available on my website which is: philjerky.co.uk
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Witty, crude, and irreverent, Phil shares the more ridiculous side of living with a disability.