Jim Brenner

Location: Leola, PA

Challenge: Parkinson’s Disease

Website: twitter.com/JimEBrenner

Jim Brenner was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He started playing drums at the age of 12 with a little wood block with a piece of rubber glued to it and a pair of used sticks. Jim adds "I played in orchestra and the marching band, but playing in a rock band was my desire".

After high school Jim played in a gospel band for many years. He adds "I still wasn't finding my groove and decided to take a break from drumming". Years later Jim was diagnosed with Young On-set Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 30. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement.

He says "I thought with this diagnosis I wouldn't play the drums again. I fought depression with this disease and it took away my desire to do anything. I started to drink as a form of self medication".

After a very long break from drumming, one of Jim's friends was selling her drum set and asked him if he would be interested in it. Jim adds "My wife gave me permission to buy it". For Jim, the return to playing wasn't easy, it was not like riding a bike. Left hand tremors made it very hard to hold on to his stick, and imprecise movements from the disease made it very hard to keep time.

Jim says "My drinking got out of control, I checked myself into a hospital for detox and followed up with rehab. Being sober helped my PD medications effectiveness and my drumming got better".

Jim is currently looking to find a band to play with. He adds "My love is Jazz music, and that is the direction I would like to go. PD still affects my ability to keep a hold of my sticks but I found a company that makes great drumstick with a grip and grooves in the wood. Headhunters drumsticks based in Canada made it so much easier to play the drums".

Some of Jim's favorite drummers are Stanton Moore, Mark Guiliana, Benny Greb, Peter Erskine, Steve Smith, and of course Buddy Rich. He adds "There is one drummer who is my idol,Tommy Igoe. He is absolutely the best out there (in my opinion). My dream is to meet him and be able to play together".

Jim has a quote near my drum set to keep him motivated, it reads; "I have Parkinson’s Disease, it doesn't have me!"