Living with Parkinson’s: Poetry as a Tool for Wellness

New Poetry Circle opportunity for Individuals Living with Parkinson’s and/or their Care Partners

Sponsored by The Institute for Poetic Medicine

and The Quiver

Eight sessions starting on October 21

Tara Broderick has teamed up with The Quiver and The Quiver’s Poetry Editor Ashley Romberg to offer a healing poetry series for individuals living with Parkinson’s and/or their care partners. Tara and Ashley, who both have Parkinson’s Disease, believe poem-making can help people living with Parkinson’s live better and more whole lives.

Tara and Ashley will co-facilitate IPM’s 8-session Poetry as a Tool for Wellness series beginning October 21.

We will meet on Zoom at 1pm ET (10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT) for 90 minutes each session.

Meeting dates: 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, and 2/24.

We will explore feelings about living with Parkinson’s Disease by writing and sharing poems in a safe and supportive environment. The premise is that discovering meaning enables us to better endure difficulties and find strength. No prior experience with poetry is necessary. We will help you to discover your innate creativity!

What previous participants have said:

“This is the first time in my 20-year journey with PD that I have

felt so seen and heard. These workshops became the highlight

of my week.”

“Tara set a positive encouraging tone allowing each member

to feel understood. The series gave me the opportunity to share

honest feelings about Parkinson’s and gain a sense of

accomplishment.”

Interested individuals should email Ashley (ashleyallison71@hotmaill.com) or Tara (broderickt@gmail.com) for more details.

Hope has put a pen in our hands for us to find our song.

from "There Are Words In Us" by Stephen Levine

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For information about The Quiver: https://TheQuiver.org/

Tara Broderick was certified as a Practitioner of Poetic Medicine in 2018 after completing IPM’s training program. In 2014, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. During her IPM training, Tara experienced first-hand the healing power of poem-making to make sense of her diagnosis. To this day, she believes that reading and writing poetry has not only helped her gain perspective but has also contributed to stress reduction and slower progression of her disease. Tara has facilitated her original Words That Heal program 6 times since Fall 2022 and has offered the Finding Solace series twice. Tara’s home base is Cleveland, Ohio where she has facilitated a variety of healing poetry circles since 2017.

Ashley Romberg recently completed the Poetry as a Tool for Wellness facilitator training through the Institute for Poetic Medicine. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2021, she has experienced firsthand the profound medicine found in reading, writing, and sharing poetry. Her participation in poetic medicine circles has deepened her reverence for language and its power to connect, heal, and reveal. In addition to writing poetry, Ashley facilitates a longstanding weekly women’s circle, teaches fitness classes, makes art, and dances in her living room as often as she can. Her approach to both art and life is shaped by a commitment to authenticity, creative expression, and holding space for others.