Singing in rock band helps Wheaton man keep Parkinson’s symptoms at bay

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A man from Wheaton is showing how music can help in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

Dave Mikulskis credits a number of different things for keeping tremors, voice issues, and other hallmarks of Parkinson’s at bay.

“Stay positive, stay active. I think being active is important.”

His doctor, Martha McGraw, is a specialist in movement disorders at Central DuPage Hospital. In this interview provided by Northwestern Medicine, she says Mikulskis has been treated with physical therapy, medication, and Deep Brain Stimulation.

“It’s just like a pacemaker for the brain. A little wire is implanted in the brain and delivers a low dose electrical impulse that overrides some of the abnormal signals of Parkinson's,” Dr. McGraw said.

She explains those signals include tremors and voice issues, such as monotone pitch and inability to project.  Problems you don’t see with Mikulskis.

His singing in a 80s rock cover band has made a big difference.

“Singing really helps preserve his voice because when you sing, you project and you're thinking about your words and you're focusing on volume and voice qualities,” Dr. McGraw said.

He’ll keep up that positive activity when his band Hi Infidelity is slated to perform this weekend in St. Charles at The Arcada Theatre. They also have around 40 performances scheduled over the next couple of months. See their full schedule on their website .

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