June 1, 2007

Parkinson's disease patient discovers hidden talent

Fourteen years ago, MGH patient Greg Rice (left) was a Fleet Boston senior executive leading an active and fulfilled life. Things changed dramatically when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder. Ten years into his illness, Rice's life shifted even more remarkably when he discovered an astonishing hidden talent — a gift for composing music despite no formal musical training.

MGH clinicians, including Alice Flaherty, MD, PhD, of Neurology, have commented on Rice's sudden talent in several media interviews over the years and surmise that his ability may be linked to his medications and disease. Regardless of its cause, Rice's new creativity has given him a renewed passion and purpose — to share his music and advance the search for a Parkinson's disease cure. "I felt moved to write music," he says. "If sharing it allows me to raise funds for Parkinson's research, then I know there is some benefit to having been afflicted with the disease."

In 2005, Rice underwent brain surgery at the MGH to alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease. With his creative ability intact and music continuing to be a part of his life, he established the Greg Rice Foundation this year to raise research dollars to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. Since writing his first composition in 2003, Rice has composed more than 30 works, including waltzes and full symphonies, which will be showcased at a June 19 kickoff event sponsored by Bank of America at the Boston College Club.