Parkinson’s Open Day
Tony and Krystyna Clarke met in Los Angeles in 1998. After living on a sailboat in Marina Del Rey, they settled in Lawson in 2013. Krystyna was born in 1954, and grew up in Sydney. She has a degree in Social Work from UNSW but pursued music and the arts. Tony was born in Hong Kong in 1948, lived in various countries and served in the British Parachute Regiment. He worked as a designer, race car driver, pilot, flying school owner, author, and screenwriter. His autobiography, “CONTACT,” became a bestseller in 1983 and was adapted into an award-winning film. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in late 2023, he has faced challenges with walking, balance, cognition, and REM Behaviour Sleep Disorder. At the Parkinson’s Open Day they will both share their emotional journey and how they’ve navigated this challenge together.
Will was diagnosed with Parkinson’s14 years ago and has worked tirelessly as an advocate for Parkinson’s Awareness since then. He has walked pilgrimages around the world since diagnosis and found walking has given him a kick-start to live a rich life.
Read more about Will and his travels with his wife, Corrie, on his blog: WilltoWalk.
Will was also invited to speak at TEDx Katoomba watch his outstanding talk here: TEDX.
Margaret’s Dad – Theo – had Parkinson’s.
Back in his home town in South Africa, Theo coordinated a local PD support group and was very passionate about creating awareness of Parkinson’s and living life to his fullest capability. Theo passed away in 2020. In her dad’s memory, Margaret hosts this annual Open Day for the local Parkinson’s community at Glenella which she owns with her husband, Rowan.
Natasha is a community dance artist and early childhood educator with extensive experience and qualifications from Italy, the UK, and Australia. She graduated from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London with Specialists Diplomas in Dance Studies and Choreological Studies. While pursuing her career in creative movement practice, performance and dance teaching in community settings, Natasha has facilitated performing arts programs across Europe before relocating to Sydney and the Blue Mountains (NSW), in 2014.
Natasha has tutored inclusive creative programs and projects across various settings including schools, community and family services, councils and arts centres. Since completing the Dance for Parkinson’s Training in 2015, Natasha has been facilitating weekly classes and serves as a DPA Committee Member. She advocates for the arts in health, enhancing quality of life and empowering communities through creativity.
Natasha holds a certificate in Intergenerational Practice from Griffith University. Her collaborations with Dance for Parkinson’s Australia, Move and Groove and the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice allow her to deepen her knowledge and apply movement practice as a universal language, fostering wellbeing and togetherness.
Dominique is a Senior Neurological Physiotherapist working with Advance Rehab Centre (ARC). She has been working with people with neurological conditions for over 15 years with experience in both the public hospital and private sectors.
Having grown up in the Blue Mountains, and now raising her own family here, Dominique is thrilled to provide physiotherapy services to local communities of the Blue Mountains and Penrith. These sessions may include home, gym or outdoor based sessions. She is trained in the PD Warrior program and is passionate about helping those with PD and other neurological conditions reach their full potential.
Please call ARC on 9906 7777 with any questions.
Isobel has been working at Shake It Up Australia Foundation as the Community Fundraising and Events Manager since 2018. She has an extensive history in fundraising, with experience organising a wide variety of corporate and community events. Isobel finds it very rewarding to be the first point of contact for people connecting with Shake It Up. She loves taking calls, listening to stories, and answering enquiries from our supporters and community. Isobel is proud to be championing better treatments and community awareness for people with Parkinson’s.
Further Information and Events
Please find below some links that might be of interest about events happening related to Parkinson’s awareness month
3rd April – PD Public Forum 2025 at Macquarie Park
6th-8th April – Parkinson’s Australia National Conference in Canberra
11th-13th April – Insight into Parkinson’s Online Conference
