SHARED STORIES

Billie Pawlikowski

Billie was an integral part of MTP, was a huge advocate of the program and embraced the creative expressive part of the classes, especially. She loved working with the students and was an inspiration for the performance project, Fall & Recover. This piece was performed around Fort Collins including at the CSU University Center for the Arts. We expanded the project in collaboration with the MTP community, A Balancing Act. She brought a wealth of knowledge to the work from her professional nursing career and was a champion of the program even after she was not able to attend classes anymore. Billie passed away in July, 2023.

Barbara Smith

Barbara has been a part of the MTP program since the beginnings in 2014. She enthusiastically supported expanding the program into the dance studio, always supporting the live music and continued collaboration with CSU Music Therapy. Barbara is a professor emeritus in the CSU Nutrition program. She brings valuable knowledge to the Parkinson’s community around diet and drug interactions. Her poem “On Becoming Parkinsonian” Poem1 1-23-2020 was the inspiration for A Balancing Act, a performance project involving the whole MTP community. Barbara has been living with Parkinson’s for over 25 years.

Michele

Michele brings a welcome perspective to our classes with her mindful and caring outlook on life. I am especially grateful for her heartfelt, artistic expression and interpretation of the movement and music.