Ray Wiger-Move on with Parkinson’s

Thirty years of sculpting have come to an end with the increased symptoms of early onset Parkinson’s Disease and Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia, a very rare movement disorder affecting only 2,000 people in the United States that was diagnosed in 2005. The ability to work at home and so adjust the rest needed to keep the symptoms at bay is no longer sufficient as the physical act of sculpting is enough to provoke symptoms of both, and such has been the case over much of the last decade. So, I had to limit myself these last few years to artist-in-residencies around the world where I mostly taught. Now those are no longer an option as symptoms have advanced too far to manage public projects.

So, I transition from one love to others; those of writing words and music. No stranger to these, most of my efforts over the last two decades have been spent editing others’ works and technical papers and dabbling in minor musical projects. The time has now come to return my energy to my own projects. A YouTube link on this page will take you to examples of some of my incidental music for piano.  My time will now be focused on composing music along these lines as I have successfully in the past to earn income from commissioned pieces written for celebrations, weddings, etc.

15 years of chronic illnesses related to the Parkinsonian movement disorders and blood flow issues to the brain took a significant toll on my financial assets and have limited most of my income now to Social Security Disability. Fortunately, while Parkinson’s Disease and Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia have rather profound bearings on the body, the mind is unaffected ; so with less running around, there is now more time to compose and write.

The initial goal of $3,000.00 on GoFundMe was met because of the kindness of quite a few friends, colleagues and others. I have been able to replace my touch screen iPad with a laptop (tremors and touch screens do not go together), as well as finance the expense of a person traveling with to and from the United States, as I am no longer able to travel alone, for my annual medical exams in Boston and to pick up prescription medication. (I now live in Cambodia with dear friends on a farm aside Angkor Wat, the United Nations World Heritage-Archeological Site).  The hot weather throughout the year mitigates the severity of the movement disorders symptoms allowing me to be more physically active, where as cold weather is severely debilitating.

As my symptoms of the movement disorders have worsened, new medication has been prescribed to lessen their severity.  However, restrictions on quantities currently able to be prescribed require me to return to the United States a second time this year to pick up the additional medications.  Travel expenses to return to the United States for the second time this year for myself and for the person to accompany me to and from the United State are approximately $3,000.00.  After this year, prescription allowances should be in place and the cost of a person accompanying me once annually to the US will fall within my budget, so no further assistance would be necessary to meet the additional expenses as I am experiencing this year.  

So, I am seeking an additional $3,000.00 to cover this unexpected cost.  The total of the campaign has been set at $6,500.00 to cover the commissions and fees of 8% charged by GoFundMe.

I sincerely appreciate all the kind support and generosity so many of you have shown.

Raymond Wiger
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
May 1, 2018



https://www.youtube.com/user/talpatavern

Raymond Wiger
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
January 2018

Ta Prohm, Angkor Archeological Park, Cambodia
National Park Ranger, Glacier National Park - 1993

Garessio, Italy - August 2011
YouTube link to a 9-minute video on my work in wire mesh as a sculpting medium.
Raymond Wiger - 25 Years of Manipulation