Phoenix Hispanic Parkinson's choir vies for People's Choice Award

Dee Dee Gatton , KPNX September 15, 2016

The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center has the largest program of support for Parkinson Hispanics in the United States. One such program is the choir Voces Unidas. (Photo: 12 News)

Para leer en español: Voces Unidas lanza video para honrar y motivar a la comunidad hispana con Parkinson

In a study by the Washington University School of Medicine, of the ethnic minority groups in America, Hispanics are twice as likely to get Parkinson’s Disease.

Battling the condition is hard enough and, as Espinoza said, not being able to communicate poses an even greater challenge.

Before joining the choir, “my mom was alone at home,” Espinoza said. “She wasn’t part of the community.”

Now she and the choir are competing to win the People’s Choice Award at the World Parkinson Congress.

Their music video for “I Am the Beat of Another Song” is the only one in Spanish.

The video will be presented at the congress Sept. 20-23 in Portland, Oregon.

“Writing this song has been super important because it has become a message of unity and hope for the Parkinson’s community,” said songwriter José María Lobo. “I am very happy to be singing with all of these people that are now my family.”

As noted by Claudia Martinez, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, the Center has an extensive network reaching as far as Central and South America.

http://www.12news.com/news/local/valley/phoenix-hispanic-parkinsons-choir-vies-for-peoples-choice-award/319258943