Inspiration: Parkinson’s, Speech Therapy Patients Hosting Free Palm Desert Concert

It's easy to take for granted the simple words that we use to form the spoken sentence.  For most of us, our thoughts flow to our mouths with ease, and we don't think twice about what we are saying.

That's not the case for everyone, though.  For some people, the onset of a neurological disorder, a stroke or even just an aging voice, can mean a devastating impact on one's vocal abilities.

That's where Palm Desert-based SongShine Foundation comes in.

The group uses music to help patients rediscover their voices.  According to the SongShine website, they use "music based vocal therapy for those with Parkinson's disease, stroke, other neurological disorders, or aging voices."  

This week, more than 50 SongShine members are putting on a free concert for the public, featuring the music of Fiddler on the Roof.

The concert is a chance for the group "to demonstrate the results of their training to sing and act, while gaining strength in their speaking voices," according to organizers.

You can check it out this Tuesday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church sanctuary, 47-321 Highway 74.

Be sure to also check out the attached video clip of the group— which has been meeting every Monday for the last 20 weeks— rehearsing for their performance.

According to volunteers with the organization, SongShine was originated as a pilot program at Eisenhower Medical Center's Traub Parkinson’s Center in Rancho Mirage in 2006.  In 2011, SongShne Foundation was formed and became an independent, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) tax exempt public charity.