PD SHIMMERS TRAILER from MIKE JUSTAK on Vimeo.
Plymouth Minnesota resident Mike Justak will illuminate over 20,000 lights for a Holiday Season show he has entitled “PD Shimmers”, nightly through December 26. An advocate for those who suffer with Parkinson’s disease and a patient himself, Justak hopes his show will increase awareness of the disease and the need to help fund research for a cure. Currently over 1.2 million Americans have the incurable, progressive Parkinson’s disease. The show includes an interactive selection where a random viewer is chosen to “play” the lights using a Wii guitar. Each half hour concludes with a tribute to active military personnel. A coming attractions trailer using test clips and video from last season is available on vimeo on this location http://vimeo.com/24248161
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that strikes when a brain chemical, dopamine, no longer exists in sufficient quantity. Dopamine, which works like oil in an engine, provides the means for smooth transmission of movement of one’s muscles.
“People tend to associate Parkinson’s as a disease of the elderly,” Justak noted. “However nearly one in five is younger than fifty when diagnosed. Fueled by the younger demographic, Parkinson’s disease creates an enormous financial burden which now approaches over $10 billion dollars a year.”
I hope to use the show as a device to get people to take notice of PD and hopefully compel them to act by texting “Partner” to 48510.”
“The show is a tool I’m using to bring awareness to Parkinson’s disease. It (the show) runs about 10 minutes. The sad fact is that during that 10 minute period someone new will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
Showtimes for this holiday event in Plymouth, MN are Monday – Thursday 7pm – 9pm, Friday – Sunday 5pm – 9pm