Did you know the "inability to smile" is a symptom of Parkinson's disease?

Smile Through Art Workshops

Creativity

The creativity portion of our workshop has been developed taking into account several symptoms of Parkinson's Disease including loss of fine motor control, rigidity, and tremors. Each workshop focuses on a different symptom and how methods of art can help alleviate and counteract the symptom. We also have a large focus on Micrographia and have developed specific workshops to help patients improve their handwriting.Our workshops are supported by research that has been published in the Journal of Alzhiemer's Disease and Parkinsonism.

SMILEs

Did you know the "inability to Smile" is a symptom of various neurological conditions including Parkinson's Disease?

Our workshops are developed to spread smiles through creativity and movement. Our SMILE acronym-Seize Your Day, Make Positive Memories, Inspire Yourself and Others, and Promote a Healthy Environment. We encourage the involvement of a family member or caregiver to re-build their bond

Movement

The movement portion of our workshop focuses on developing fine and gross motor skills while promoting a healthy environment. Through exercises and activities participants are challenged both physically and mentally promoting stimulation in both sides of their brain. Our workshops foster growth in a motivating environment that increases confidence and mood.

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We've Spread Smiles To and Can Travel to YOU

Massachucetts

Where it all began! In 2013 we partnered with the American Parkinson Disease Association MA Chapter and since have brought our program to 13 cities in MA!

Rhode Island

In 2015, we planned three workshops in Rhode Island. We will be returning to Rhode Island in 2018!

Oregon

We were selected to present a Renewal Room and present our preliminary research at The World Parkinsons Congress in 2016.

Iowa

We were invited to attend and present our Smile Through Art Workshop at the APDA-Iowa Conference in 2017.

Kentucky

We were invited to attend and present at the Ponies for Parkinson's event sponsored by Parkinson's International.

Connecticut

In partnership with APDA-CT we brought our Smile Through Art Workshop to West Hartford, CT.

Feedback from our Workshops

“This class has helped my tremors so much! Thank you!”

“Having my wife share the experience with me was great. Thank you for bringing our happiness back."

"Parkinson’s has limited me in many ways but The Art Cart has opened my world view."

"I experience new avenues of self-expression that take on the fight against Parkinson’s!"

"The workshops have given me a new light and shown me how to use my symptoms to create!"

"I have never felt so stimulated-both mentally and physically!"

Evidence Based Workshops

Measuring Success of our Workshops

Our workshops have proven to enhance mood in people living with Parkinson's Disease. 44% of the time people with Parkinson (PWP) go from feeling sad before the start of our workshop to happy at the end of our workshop after they've completed their art. 43% of the time PWP go from feeling content before the start of our workshop to happy at the end of our workshop after they've completed their art. 10% of the time PWP go from feeling sad before the start of our workshop to content at the end of our workshop after they've completed their art.

Parkinson's vs Non-Parkinson

We are also measuring the impact of creativity and movement on people living without Parkinson's.

Who We Are-Parkinson's Power Couple

Saba M. Shahid, M.S

Chief Smiling Officer of The Art Cart, Author of Lets Combat Micrographia, and Professor of Human Nutrition. With the help of Saba's Masters in Biomedical Science, she has been able to develop a curriculum that is focused on improving the lives of those living with PD.

Chad Moir, OTS

Chief Fitness Officer of The Art Cart, Board Member of APDA-MA and Founder of DopaFit Parkinson’s Wellness Center

What started 5 years ago stemmed from wanting to spread smiles to populations that list the "inability to smile" as a symptom of various neurological diseases. Saba and Chad along with their staff operate two Parkinson's Wellness Centers and run Smile Through Art Workshops in several states throughout the United States