A transformative initiative is taking root in Guelph, Ontario, where personal passion meets purposeful change. Parkinson Canada is proud to support this effort with more than $12,000 in funding through our CARE Fund program, which awards local groups that are focused on improving the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.  

This funding is part of a national effort to support sustainable, inclusive programs that reach diverse and underserved communities. For many people in Canada who live with Parkinson’s, access to specialized services and wellness initiatives can be limited. That’s why we’re happy to further fund programs such as Mime Over Mind, which offers free and accessible resources designed to uplift and empower people with Parkinson’s to manage their symptoms through mime. 

A personal journey becomes a collective mission 

At the heart of this project is Barbara Salsberg Mathews, Founder of Mime Over Mind, whose own journey with Parkinson’s began in 2020. Initially in disbelief about her diagnosis, Barbara eventually came to a powerful realization: Parkinson’s doesn’t define who she is. From this awakening grew a bold mission to use her talents and experience to improve the lives of others navigating similar challenges. 

She created a series of 12 short videos that demonstrate how the art of mime can be adapted for people living with Parkinson’s. These videos, available for free on her website, are more than just instructional, they’re also inspirational. They offer a supportive space where movement, self-expression, and healing intersect. 

A lifelong creative committed to service 

Barbara’s passion for the arts began in childhood and carried her through a vibrant career. She studied mime in Paris, France, eventually founding and running a touring mime company.  Barbara graduated with honours from the Ontario College of Art, completed a B.A in Fine Arts at the University of Guelph and a B.Ed. at the University of Toronto. She then went on to earn her M.Ed. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, after which she dedicated more than 25 years to teaching visual and dramatic arts in high schools. 

Now retired, Barbara resides in Guelph with her husband, where she continues her artistic practice and volunteers in her community. Since her diagnosis in 2020, she has embraced mime not just as an art form, but as a therapeutic tool—a way to manage Parkinson’s symptoms and bring hope to others. 

Movement as medicine

Mime Over Mind is a free video series and shining example of what happens when creativity and compassion come together. It proves that art and movement can be more than expression; they can also be tools for healing. Therapeutic mime may improve your balance, gait, and increase range and fluidity of movement. Not to mention that it’s fun, easy to learn, highly customizable, requires no cost or specialized equipment and focuses on everyday movements. 

For anyone navigating their journey with Parkinson’s, Mime Over Mind is a great resource. All twelve mime videos can be found at mimeovermind.com.