Illustrator Barbara Salsberg Mathews, diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, is remaking the stereotype image of the old white man going through the 5 stages of Parkinson’s, to reflect young women of various races (e.g. white, black, brown, Asian, Indigenous).
Parkinson Europe and other PD groups and influencers, wish to link up with other Parkinson’s groups around the world, to have a ‘big reveal’ of these illustrations on March 8th, International Women’s Day. Would you be interested in joining us on this initiative? If so, please contact Barbara at: SalsbergMathews@gmail.com.
There will be a total of 5 illustrations, each with the 5 stages of PD. Parkinson’s Disease impacts ‘all body shapes and sizes’. For practicality’s sake, and to prevent distraction, Barbara will illustrate ‘one body shape and size’ for all races, wearing the same color of clothing. This will help viewers focus on the physical changes that generally happen in the different stages of PD progression. Next year Barbara plans to do something similar for YOPD men.
On a personal note Barbara wrote:
“I don’t do these illustrations for fame or fortune as I don’t care about that. I remember how my doctor dismissed me as ‘just aging’ over 1.5 yrs when I kept coming to him with my shaky hand on 3 different occasions, before being taken seriously and sent to a neurologist. Perhaps if I was a man he would have done something sooner about my query?”