Toronto's '80s hit group released a song about Parkinson's disease

The two members of the Toronto new wave group behind the 1980 international hit have created new music, this time to raise awareness for Parkinson's disease.

Martha Johnson and Mark Gein are the husband and wife of the hit single Martha and the Muffins. Echo Beach1980. The group was founded in 1977.

Johnson has been suffering from Parkinson's disease for 23 years. Now he's joined forces with Parkison's live-in guitarist to create a pair Slow emotionit paints an intimate picture of life with illness.

In an interview with CBC Radio Clean air, Johnson said the lyrics are “kind of a metaphor for what you go through when you have Parkinson's disease.” The song was released by their record label Muffin Music on all platforms on Thursday, which is World Parkinson's Day. April is Parkinson's Awareness Month.

“Things change a lot. You're always adapting. A lot of it is slowing life down, taking it slow. You hope people know you have this disability. I have doors for people. Me and stuff like that. It's about being kind and thoughtful.”

Guitarist Fabio Dwyer, who has Parkinson's disease, also helped with the songwriting.

LISTEN | Slow emotion paints a picture of living with Parkinson's disease:

Johnson's neurologist, Dr. Alfonso Fasano, introduced him to another patient of his, Dwyer, in hopes that the two could sing together. After the meeting, they wrote individual songs and Johnson put them together.

Dwyer wrote the chord structure for the chorus, and he and Gaine wrote the lyrics.

“You will see your life differently”

Johnson said she waited three years before telling many people in her life about the diagnosis. Although his demeanor had changed, he said he was hiding some symptoms. He said he never had tremors.

“It was very devastating. You see your life differently,” he said. “It takes a toll on you and you don't know what the future holds … No one knows, but you know it's not going to be healthy.”

Johnson said the disease progressed slowly until the symptoms subsided. First, he lost his sense of smell. Then it was seen that one of his legs was being dragged. Her family doctor referred her to a neurologist.

Gane said the diagnosis was a shock.

“I think when anyone deals with shocking news, you go, this can't really happen. But another part of your brain is going, yes, it's happening, and it can be like a sudden death or even a birth. In a good baby way. But you go, from this moment on, life will be completely different, “he added.

“Parkinson's is a very personal disease. Some people get it and immediately start struggling with very severe symptoms. Other people can go on for years, like Martha, and we've still been able to play for a long time. But I've had to learn to be a caregiver more and more.”

“There's no way but to move forward”

Gayne said music played a big role in her and Johnson's fight against the disease.

“I don't think there's any other way but to move forward… You go, okay, I can sink like a stone or we can move forward. I think one of the things that helps us overcome this problem is that we are creative people,” he said.

“Obviously we can't play live anymore. But later in the years when we decided that it wasn't going to happen, we always continued to write.”

Johnson says she's had to deal with complex symptoms over the years, including a stutter that she recently developed.

“Every time something happens, you have to pick yourself up,” he said. “You have to be thankful for what you have.”

Johnson and Gein spoke about the creation of the song at an event hosted by national registered charity Parkinson's Canada at Yonge-Dundas Square on Thursday.

Illness destroys people's lives, charity says

Parkinson's disease is a life-long incurable brain disease that affects more than 100,000 people in Canada, the charity said.

“Many aspects of people's lives are affected by a diagnosis of Parkinson's, including relationships, work, sleep, activity, mental health, and more. Parkinson's disease affects not only individuals, but also families, friends, and partners. come together to help manage the reality of the disease,” he said.

“However, people living with Parkinson's disease can learn to live well for years after diagnosis. For every challenge that comes with living with Parkinson's, people often find new perspectives, resilience, and opportunities they never knew were possible.”

SEE | The documentary slowly explores the making of emotion:

Parkinson's Canada said it's important for people with the disease to:

• Get support to manage your symptoms with medication, speech and physical therapy.
• Develop coping strategies and mental health support through access to counseling and support groups.
• Add exercise and wellness posts to stay active and connected.