Dancing Despite Parkinson's - "Shared Sorrow is Half Sorrow" - Frankfurt's Connect project uses dance to transform Parkinson's care and community
In Frankfurt, a unique dance project is helping people with Parkinson's manage their condition while building connections. Called Connect, the initiative was started by a couple who both live with the disease. Participants say the sessions bring physical benefits—and a renewed sense of joy.
Christian Rietschel and his wife, Gerhild Frasch, launched the Connect dance project after their own Parkinson's diagnoses. Both recognised how movement and social interaction could improve daily life. The group now meets regularly at the Museum of Communication, supported by local foundations.
For Dorothea Kronenberger, a participant with Parkinson's, the sessions have changed her outlook. She describes dancing as a way to stay optimistic and see her condition differently. The group's focus isn't on perfection but on exploring individual abilities and self-expression.
Gerhild Frasch has observed clear changes in participants, both mentally and physically. Senior physician Simon Baudrexel echoes this, stressing that regular exercise—like dancing—is vital for managing Parkinson's symptoms. Rietschel adds that the social side matters just as much as the movement itself.
Frankfurt's project is part of a wider trend. By 2026, over 1,000 similar programmes, including Dance for PD® and Dance Movement Therapy for Parkinson's, run in more than 30 countries. In Germany alone, hundreds of groups operate under networks like Tanz gegen Parkinson, often backed by organisations such as the Deutsche Parkinson Vereinigung and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The Connect project continues to grow, offering participants a way to stay active and connected. With support from medical experts and international networks, dance is becoming a recognised tool for Parkinson's care. For those involved, the benefits go beyond physical health—they include confidence, community, and a shared sense of purpose.
