The Arizona chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association (AZ-APDA) is debuting holiday and note cards featuring the designs of native son Jim Sudal, well known in the American southwest for capturing the unique beauty of desert plants in his handcrafted and signed pottery. Proceeds from the card sale go to AZ-APDA&#s fight against Parkinson&#s.
In the past several years, there has been unbelievable progress in finding a cure, says Anne Udall, whose Dad, former long time Arizona Congressman Morris Udall, died in 1998, after a 19-year battle with Parkinson&#s disease. There is truly hope on the horizon.
One million Americans have Parkinson&#s disease, and 40,000 more are diagnosed with it each year. Thirty percent of people with Parkinson&#s are under age 50.
I watched-- first hand--how Parkinson&#s disease slowly, inexorably made my Dad&#s daily life more and more difficult, recalls Anne, Chairman of the Board for the Parkinson&#s Action Network and Chairman of the Parkinson&#s Association of the Carolinas. It is simply awful to watch its progression, knowing that there is nothing any of us can do to delay its inevitable physical toll.
It was Jim Sudal&#s desire to help friend and fellow artist, Jean Burns, in her battle with Parkinson&#s disease that led him to partner with her to transfer some of his favorite designs onto holiday and note cards.
Illustrated with blooming aloes and saguaro cactus, an agave, and a prickly pear cactus, Sudal&#s cards are featured in the December issue of Phoenix Home & Garden magazine. The cards can be ordered as an assortment, or as individual designs. Customized greetings can be added with larger quantities. Order on line through the Jim Sudal Pottery website or through the AZ-APDA website.
A self-taught artist, Sudal turned his passion for the plants of the Sonoran Desert into a full-time business, devoted to doing his pottery, mosaics, and other work. One of Sudal&#s mosaic murals was featured in Phoenix Home & Garden magazine&#s September Best of the Southwest issue. Examples of his art can be seen at the Celebration of Fine Arts in Scottsdale, January 13 - March 25, 2007.
Known for his love of the environment, Mo Udall would have appreciated Sudal&#s designs, Anne says.
Dad absolutely refused to be defined by Parkinson&#s disease, she says. He never lost his commitment to serving others; his profound love for his country; his kindness to those both close to him and strangers; his ability to apply his intelligence and wit to every personal and professional challenge he ever faced.
When I close my eyes and think of Dad, what I see most is his smile, recalls Anne. It was his smile that brought me such joy because it held all of who he was--his slight shyness, his keen mind, his wit, his love for his kids. Even as the PD impacted him more and more, even then, you could see that signature smile. I am so very proud to be his daughter.
