Clyde's Clever Idea

If beating a drum and dressing funny doesn't work, how do you draw attention to a disease that you cannot really understand unless you live with it?

Ask Clyde Campbell, a clever guy who's putting his money where his mouth is.  He is the Australian businessman who started a nonprofit organization called, "Shake it up Australia" to raise funds for Parkinson's research. The name is a call to action.  He is driven to do what he can do help find a cure for PD. Certainly, part of his motivation stems from the fact that he was diagnosed with the disease in 2009 at the age of 44. But, having spent some time with him in Australia when I was there in June (see my post about Clyde), I suspect the greater motivation to do something is really for his children.


If you watch this video you will see how children play an important part in spreading the word about Parkinson's. They do so by distributing what amounts to a temporary distraction that draws attention to the reality of Parkinson's disease. Everyone will know how annoying it is to sit at a table that wobbles.  Typically, I will resort to almost anything to fix it.  Stuffing a folded napkin, a piece of cardboard or even a spoon under the short leg is standard fare. If all else fails I ask for a different table.

Imagine having to put up with a wobbly table for every meal for the rest of your life. Annoying to say the least.  A small hint of what it might feel like to have Parkinson's?

What you think? Is this a good idea?