John Creveling, EDU '93, is using his paintbrush to fight Parkinson s disease.

The Temple alumnus is one of 13 artists whose artwork was selected to appear in the Parkinson s Disease Foundation s (PDF) 2015 Creativity and Parkinson s Calendar. PDF is a leading national presence in Parkinson s disease research, education and public advocacy. Creveling's painted shutters appear in PDF s nationally distributed calendar as the featured artwork for the month of July.

Creveling is a career and leadership consultant and veteran of the US Army. Shortly after he was diagnosed with Parkinson s in 2009, he began to paint. He says his art became a part of who I am and serves as a therapeutic outlet.

Parkinson s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US. Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure.

There are times when I m painting that I feel like I m in a sacred place, where I forget about Parkinson's disease, says Creveling, who also enjoys photography and writing. I m honored to be among such talented individuals in PDF s Creativity and Parkinson s Calendar. Creativity gives the millions of us with Parkinson s throughout the world a voice and acknowledges we are more than our PD.

He soon found he was not alone in this sentiment.

More than 400 other people with Parkinson s have shared their artwork and experiences with PDF s Creativity and Parkinson s Project, which explores, supports and encourages the therapeutic value of creativity in Parkinson's. Many people with Parkinson s report that creative activities such as painting, drawing, playing instruments or singing ease their symptoms. Creveling s painted shutters of an American flag was chosen among these individuals to be featured in PDF s annual print calendar, which is distributed nationwide to nearly 20,000 people.

PDF President Robin Elliott said, PDF is proud to showcase Creveling s artwork in the calendar. His work serves as a source of hope and inspiration to the nearly one million others in the US living with Parkinson s disease.