Improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s

From left, Riani Rattray (RHPT Musical Director), Ted O'Brien, Pauline McAney (member of The Choir of Sound INTENT), and Louise Williams (RHPT Founding Director and Speech Pathologist ).

An Australian-first Charity on the Sunshine with a musical twist has hit the right note with the help of an Australian Government Grant to the tune of $7,800. 

Restoring Hope Parkinson’s Therapy (RHPT), an Australian Charity based on the Sunshine Coast, has started a choir, and uses the power of music as a therapeutic tool to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s.

 “This fantastic local charity is not only restoring hope but is actively improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s and that of their families,” Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said at a Flaxton Barn event. 

“I know from personal experience the terrific impact this sort of treatment has, as my own dad had to live with Parkinson’s for many years. 

“It’s the tenth anniversary of my father’s passing this week and it meant a lot to me to be able to visit Restoring Hope and see the wonderful work that they do.”

 The Restoring Hope Parkinson’s Choir is the first of its kind in Australia and was inspired by a trip to the Parkinson Voice Project (PVP) in 2019, by a small group of Sunshine Coast Speech Pathologists.