The Department of Speech Language Pathology at Ball State, along with the student National Speech Language Hearing Group at Ball State, have combined efforts with the Parkinson’s Support Group of East Central Indiana and Minnetrista Museum and Gardens to plant a display of red tulips, the national symbol for Parkinson’s disease.

Dawn Condon, Associate Clinical Lecturer of Speech Language Pathology at Ball State, has organized this event with the goal to raise awareness for those living with Parkinson’s Disease and to provide support and education to all people touched by the disease.

“Connections are made locally, statewide, and nationwide,” Condon said. “We strive to learn from expert speakers and share information within the Parkinson’s Support Group of East Central Indiana and across the community.”

The Tulip Trail has immense meaning behind the event. The Tulip Trail was inspired by Richard May, a Parkinson’s advocate from Parkinson Voice Project. Parkinson Voice Project is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders to regain maintain their swallowing and speech.

“The Ball State University Speech Language Clinic is a proud recipient of a grant from the Parkinson’s Voice Project which allows for staff and student training to support speech and swallowing skills for those with Parkinson’s Disease,” Condon said. “We have Speak Out, therapy groups two times weekly on campus to help people with Parkinson’s regain and retain their ability to speak and swallow.”

The Tulip Trail was started in 2023 with tulip gardens planted at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Ft. Wayne Foellinger-Freinmann Botanical Conservatory. This year, the gardens have expanded in Muncie to proudly include the beautiful grounds at Minnetrista. The Department of Speech Language Pathology at Ball State hopes to spread the word about Parkinson’s Disease and how the community can help.

“We hope the beauty of the blooms help to bring awareness to the community related to Parkinson’s Disease.”