The North Florida Chapter was originally formed and incorporated under the name of the North Florida Parkinson Awareness Group, Inc., (NFPAG) on November 19, 2005. NFPAG was founded around the nucleus of a few people with Parkinson’s who learned that singing was beneficial to retention of voice strength and volume. They soon realized, perhaps even more importantly, the bonds of friendship which remain strong today. The choir has grown from approximately five to twenty under the expert instruction of interns from The Florida State University Music Therapy program. The choir learns four new programs a year which they perform in care centers and various venues in the area.
NFPAG renewed the affiliation with NPF in July of 2011 and officially changed its name to the National Parkinson Foundation North Florida, Inc. NPFNF is continuing to grow and is recognized as an important support for those challenged by PD. In cooperation with the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Parkinson’s Center, approximately 400 people living with Parkinson’s are being served locally – though estimates range over 700 live with PD in this area. As the leading community resource for Parkinson disease in the area, the Chapter is committed to serving the Parkinson community with services, information, education, and support. The North Florida Chapter provides peer-led support groups and educational programs. These support groups provide access to information and interaction that otherwise would not be available.
Our Mission
“To provide support, information, education,
and advocacy for all people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers, family and friends and promote awareness throughout the area“.
Hear Our Song
We are priviledged that one of our very own members, Steve Sandler, is both a talented musician as well as a song writer. He is a prolific writer in general, but excels in capturing the essence of feelings and moods. Our signature song, “Reaching For The Sky” has been adopted by several Parkinson Choirs across the country and WE BELIEVE it should be named the National Song for Parkinson Disease.
♫♫♫ ♫♫♫ ♫♫♫ ♫♫♫
REACHING FOR THE SKY
by Steve Sandler (c 2007)
We’ve come to sing for you
We could have stayed at home
Sitting in our easy chairs
Silent and alone
If we could dance we would
Hey maybe we could try
Though we’re slow and shaky
We’re all reaching for the sky
Though we’re slow and shaky
We’re all reaching for the sky
Though our faces show no smiles
We are smiling from within
Smiling as we softly croon
The melodies we spin
We’ll sing our songs the best we can
We’re glad you came to hear
Our simple tunes and harmonies
Help us speak loud and clear.
We’ve come to sing for you
We could have stayed at home
Sitting in our easy chairs
Silent and alone
Since we can dance we should
Hey let’s give it a try
Though we’re slow and shaky
We’re all reaching for the sky
We’re all a little shaky
But we’re reaching for the sky.
♫♫♫ ♫♫♫ ♫♫♫ ♫♫♫
NORTH FLORIDA PARKINSON’S AWARENESS CHOIR
P.O. Box 14722
Tallahassee, FL 32317-4722
Phone: 850-385-8186
A Charitable-Nonprofit Organization
