Parkinson's Foundation: In Memory of Kim Brooks

 

A Journey Into Parkinson's With Nancy Mellon

Coordinated by Corrine Bayraktaroglu

 In Memory of Kim Brooks

Yesterday, I had sad news.  I had written to the PFNCA Group that supplies the recorded, online, free exercise classes that I get through the Parkinson's Foundation.  I wanted to express my appreciation for  Kim Brooks' PD classes, and also to tell her about how she was featured in a couple of my blog posts.

I was hoping she would read my next one, it's one I particularly like, titled “Smile.”  And Kim is in it again.  She has been my favorite exercise teacher to grouse about.  I never met her, but I loved her.

 I got an e mail back saying that Kim had died at the end of January 2022.  She was 65. I went looking for her obituary and  found it by just Googling “Parkinson's Exercise Teacher Kim Brooks Obituary.” Immediately it popped up, with her obit, an article about her Parkinson's yoga class and links to the other Parkinson's classes she taught and the you tubes she posted of her classes.  She had fiercely worked for the Parkinson's community.

Kim had an impish sense of humor.  She wore 2 different brightly colored socks. (That's where I got the idea. Also I found it in a clowning book,  that swore by wearing 2 different socks you will always get a laugh.) Feet thrust out,  she explained how important it was for our brains to surprise them.  “Weird is the new beautiful.” she proclaimed.  Can you see why I loved her?

I have posted about her juggling you tube.  How Steven and I ended up throwing balled up socks at Kim on our Computer and roaring with laughter.  I will miss knowing she is in this world.

You can still find her working for the Parkinson's community, in her recorded classes at Parkinson's Foundation Classes

 Thank you Kim.

Love,

Nancy & the Snark

Footnotes from Corrine: I loved your story about the class with Kim. So sorry luv and to all those that loved her, a loss for so many in so many ways.