What do you do when you are a successful writer/producer/songwriter, a highly visible actor, or a world champion boxer and have come down with a disease in the prime of your life?  

Well, in the case of Mark Solomon, he did what any guy would do--he grabbed his gorgeous wife and took off for Argentina to practice their tango.

Mark and Cary Solomon 

This Emmy nominated writer has never been at a loss for words, being responsible for one of the most famous, unexpected scenes in television history; the final episode of “Newhart”.  You know the one... where Suzanne Pleshette (her character Emily from the orignal “Bob Newhart Show”) shows up in bed with Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) effectively ending the long running series as being nothing but a dream!  If you haven’t seen that ending I’ll wait while you watch....

You can’t help but be impressed by Mark, he writes comedy, he makes people laugh.  One look at some of his writing/producing credits; Alice, Grace Under Fire, Diagnosis Murder, and of course Newhart, will tell you he is an enormously talented and a very funny guy.

Mark and his also very talented wife, Cary (an award winning artist, jewelry designer and former dancer) are friends of ours.  Their infectious laughs and ability to see humor, where sometimes none exists, draws you in and makes you happy to have them in your life.

Since we all live in Ojai we have forged a lasting friendship over the years.  They have always been supportive of my writing and of my husband and his ventures. They are and always were sensitive to the physical needs of my husband.  

They are two of kindest people you could ever have as friends.  We have spent holiday meals together, celebrated New Year’s Eves, and mourned the losses of pets and family members together.  It is these everyday kind of things which cement friendships.  

When a few years ago Mark shared with us his diagnosis  of Parkinsons Disease, or PD as those in the know call it, he faced it with his usual gusto.  I remember the day he told me, I was so surprised.  The only unusual symptom had been his hands shaking.  But Mark took it well, and didn't let it stop him from living life.

For Mark, his creativity and humor is his way to deal with so much of life.  Whenever he calls me we talk for hours about our animals, writing, our love of the human condition and the goings on in our small town.  He has generously let me do an interview him about writing for my writer’s newsletter.  Mark also spearheaded the Ojai Film Festival, bring in big names and top films.  There is nothing he won’t do for a friend. 

I want to share with you an example of just how special he is.  He’s been quite busy, doing radio shows, television interviews, and fundraising lately; all because he took an idea Cary suggested to him for dealing with depression and turned his focus into something positive, something productive.  He  wrote a song about Parkinsons Disease, bringing awareness to Parkinsons Disease in a lighthearted way.  As Mark says, “It’s the only disease I’m aware of with it’s own theme song.”  I give you a small sample of the " The PD Song." (Forgive my ineptness, but I couldn't figure out how else to share the music except to make this cheesy video.)

If you are thinking you don’t know anyone who has Parkinsons, think again.  I bet you know of at least one person in Open.Salon who has it;  our own Dr.  Steve Blevins.  The very same one whose sense of humor and special brand of satire and kindness is so uplifting to so many of us.   These days I am especially appreciative of him as it seems difficult to find a positive and humorous story in this day and age.

There are 50,000 new cases diagnosed each year with no known cause and no cure yet.  Some of the well-known people you might not be aware of who have had it are:  Mohammad Ali, Jack Anderson, Yassar Arafat. Johnny Cash, Billy Graham, Pope john Paul II, Eugene O’Neill, Vincent Price, Janet Reno, Charles Schultz, and Pierre Trudeau.

I'm really thrilled to be able to share Mark's creation of the song and his immediate donation of it to help in fundraising for Parkinsons.   It’s available as a download for $ .99 (available on iTunes and Amazon) and is really catchy and upbeat.  Most of the proceeds go to the Michael J. Fox  Foundation.  

Besides, it’s my birthday and everyone knows you will get off really cheap this way!