“We won’t have a gold record, but we’re having fun”: when Parkinson’s patients found a choir

The former landscaper, now 86 years old, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease six years ago. For a year, he has been coming with his partner Anne to the choir created by the France Parkinson association in Angoulême, which brings together around fifteen singers, most of them affected by this degenerative disease.

In search of the happiness hormone

There is no magic. “To sing and speak, it does not concern the same circuit of the brain,” explains Jean-Claude Audouin, the choir director every Friday, former professor at the Barbezieux conservatory, and himself affected by this damn disease. “But singing brings a happiness hormone, dopamine, and allows you to perform certain movements. » Here the ten singers are addicted and come to look for the same product: a shot of happiness.

Jean-Claude Audouin was diagnosed two years ago. “We met with the departmental delegate and we had this idea of ​​a choir. It has several virtues. This allows you to work on your speech and breathing. » Memory is also called upon, with the words. In patients, the symptoms are multiple. Tremors, slowness of movements, difficulty speaking, 60 symptoms exist. “Each patient reacts differently,” explains Jacques. He especially has pain in his shoulders and legs. Suddenly, they can get blocked. “But it’s essential to keep activities. » The octogenarian, former footballer, runs, does ping-pong and sings. “I have always loved singing. » His wife was a musician.

“More joyful than debate workshops. »

“The worst thing is fatigue. There is a vicious circle. If we don't move, the disease gets worse. But illness drains a lot of energy. So doing sport is even more tiring, but it's essential. » Pascal Sancet mixes activities between Parkinson's patients and others with a non-sick audience. “When we are among ourselves, we can give each other advice, understand each other. But the support group doesn't suit me. We see people in very different states and the few times I went there, it demoralized me. There it’s more joyful.” During the choir, some hold the sheet of their neighbors, most encourage each other. Jean-Claude Audouin can also card again sometimes. “We’re trying to produce something good. »

I sang in a choir for 15 years and I couldn't keep up.

Most choristers have already been part of a group “I sang in a choir for 15 years and I couldn't keep up. Annie has been affected by the disease for 4 years. “Here I find myself with people who have the same problems. We become one. » A month ago, she joined the association. To the choir, she will return. We see people in very different states.

Joining the association can be difficult at first. Today, France Parkinson brings together around a hundred members in Charente. 2,400 people are diagnosed in the department. “At the start of the disease, it’s a big tsunami. We don’t think about joining an association,” emphasizes Anne, Alain Broussault’s partner and sole caregiver. We see people in very different states. If some people like support groups, it demoralizes me. »

Alain Broussault and Anne also find an activity as a couple. “There is something stimulating and charming about it. He's not always good at it. There, we say to ourselves that we are lucky. » Jacqueline Goudoux, volunteer, presents every Friday, who will become the departmental delegate in February sums up: “We won't have a gold record, but we have fun. »

Table Tennis and gym: activities to keep in shape

France Parkinson is not just a choir. Before the song, around ten of them played table tennis in an adapted manner, with a teacher from the Grand-Font Table Tennis. Debuts are at 11 a.m. every Friday. Three adapted gym sessions are also offered within the department. Monday, at AAPEC, in L'Isle-d'Espagnac, at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, at the Exideuil sports complex at 2 p.m. and Thursday at the Sainte-Thérèse hall in Châteaubernard at 10:15 a.m. Meeting workshops between sick people are also regularly organized. More information from 06 09 60 37 07. Membership is set at €25 per year.