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About the PD Tulip (text by Sheryl Jedlinski)
A new tulip is popping up in gardens across the country. The tulip - a red flower with distinctive leaves shaped like the letters "p" and "d" - was designed by a young onset person with Parkinson's (PWP) from Washington state - Karen Painter.
The red tulip has been associated with Parkinson's awareness since 1980 when a Dutch horticulturalist who had PD developed a red and white tulip and named it "Dr. James Parkinson." More than 25 years later, however, there is no single recognized red tulip design.
When Jean Burns saw the tulip her new friend Karen had doodled on a napkin, she was "immediately struck by the unique and beautiful design. Of all the tulips I have seen used for PD awareness, this one stands apart from the rest."
Jean and Karen believe that Karen's tulip design can do for Parkinson's awareness what the pink ribbon has done for breast cancer. They hope that the established Parkinson's organizations will recognize this potential and use Karen's tulip emblem in their materials alongside their official logos.
"We have a dream that Karen's stylized tulip will become the symbol not for one Parkinson's organization or event, but for the Parkinson's community nationwide," Jean says. "It will serve as a reminder that we all must work together to find a cure for the millions of people living with Parkinson's disease."
