AUGUST 3 — For most people, public awareness of Parkinson’s, a term preferred by the community without the word “disease”, rarely extends beyond visible symptoms like tremors and stiff muscles, or a handful of famous people associated with it, most notably Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali. 

Few people realise that there are at least 10 subtypes of Parkinson’s and more than 40 symptoms, with each person living with Parkinson’s (PwP) experiencing the condition differently. 

So why does Parkinson’s, the world’s and Malaysia’s second most common neurodegenerative disease, continue to receive relatively little public attention and support? 

An estimated 20,000 Malaysians are currently living with Parkinson’s, and this number is expected to increase significantly over the coming decades. 

Yet for many, Parkinson’s remains defined by its physical symptoms rather than the lives, personalities and aspirations of those living with it. 

Believing that more should be done to amplify the voices of the Parkinson’s community, we embarked on a small art-based initiative funded by Universiti Malaya’s Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies. 

Conducted in collaboration with the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association (MPDA), this Poverty Research Lab 3.0 (UMG004-2025UAC) project seeks not only to raise awareness through the artworks of PwP, but also to explore how creative expression might contribute to improving their socioeconomic well-being, particularly for those facing financial challenges. 

Throughout a series of workshops, participants experimented with different artistic techniques, from colourful stamping and “chop” art to fluid acrylic pouring. 

None were trained artists. 

Yet with every canvas, they discovered new ways of expressing themselves. Participants spoke about becoming absorbed in the creative process, feeling calmer, and even noticing that their tremors became less prominent while they were painting. 

More importantly, they experienced something that illness often takes away: the confidence of creating something uniquely their own.

The artworks themselves tell stories that words sometimes cannot. Visitors will encounter colourful flowers, trees, abstract landscapes, playful patterns and imaginative interpretations that reflect personal memories, emotions and identities. 

Rather than seeing Parkinson’s through the lens of disability alone, these paintings invite us to see resilience, creativity and individuality.

The exhibition has also become a meaningful gathering place for participants, family members, researchers and members of the public. 

Watching people with Parkinson’s proudly standing beside their own creations, sharing the stories behind them with loved ones and visitors, reminds us that awareness grows best through human connection rather than statistics alone.

Beyond the exhibition, selected artworks have also been reproduced on everyday items such as mugs and tote bags. 

While modest in scale, this demonstrates how creative works produced by people with Parkinson’s may carry value beyond the gallery wall, opening conversations about dignity, inclusion and opportunities for supplementary income.

The “Our Art, Our Stories” Art Exhibition is currently being held at the Exhibition Space, Level 1, Universiti Malaya Central Library. 

We warmly invite members of the public to visit and experience these remarkable works for themselves. 

They are more than paintings. They are windows into the lives of people with Parkinson’s, reminding us that behind every diagnosis is a person with stories worth sharing and talents worth celebrating. 

* Dr Yeo Siang Lee is a Senior Lecturer at the English Language Department, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at yeosl@um.edu.my 

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.