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Pendants for Parkinson’s – Wear the Story
Tuesday, 21st April 2026
At Shake It Up, we are continuously inspired by the unique ways our fundraisers choose to make a difference. For some, it’s a movement challenge, for others a social event. And many use their creativity and personal passions to create something extra meaningful.
Dernice has done just that, with her ‘Pendants for Parkinson’s’ fundraiser this year. She told us that as a mother, and a creative, she has chosen to keep showing up, even when living with Parkinson’s challenges her.
“Parkinson’s has changed the way I move, the way I function, and the way I experience life. Some days my body feels strong and capable, and other days it reminds me that it has its own pace. It’s unpredictable, and it challenges me in ways I never expected. But it has also taught me resilience”, she said.
By creating unique handmade pendants to raise funds for Shake It Up Australia, Dernice wants others to know they’re not alone. Each pendant is handcrafted from polymer clay, each one unique, no two are the same. Every piece carries its own story.
“It’s my way of turning something challenging into something meaningful. This fundraiser is not just about raising money — it’s about raising awareness, sharing real experiences, and reminding others that even in the struggle, there is strength, creativity, and hope.”
We spoke with Dernice to hear more about her story, and how she is turning her personal experience into a chance to make a difference.
Can you tell us a bit about your ‘Pendants for Parkinson’s – WEAR the story’ fundraiser. What does it involve?
Pendants for Parkinson’s – Wear the Story is something very close to my heart. As a mum and an artist who has always worked with my hands, I wanted to turn my journey with Parkinson’s into something tangible, something people can wear, share, and feel connected to.
I created these handmade leaf-shaped pendants as a symbol of growth, resilience, and the different seasons we go through in life.
The leaf also reflects movement, how it shifts with the wind, never completely still. In many ways, that mirrors what it feels like living with Parkinson’s. There are days when your body moves in ways you can’t always control, but like the leaf, you learn to move with it, to adapt, and to keep going.
This fundraiser is about more than jewellery. It’s about raising awareness, starting conversations, and inviting people to stand with us.
How long have you been creating handmade jewellery?
Creativity has always been part of my life.
My husband and I previously ran a small creative business in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, where we made and sold handmade pieces inspired by our culture. We worked with local materials like coconut shells to create jewellery and savings banks, and also made items like pearl shell pendants, ukuleles and wood carvings. I also did face painting and painting on canvas, so my hands were always busy creating.
I began focusing on polymer clay jewellery in 2022, around the time I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
That season changed everything. What started as something creative became something much deeper, a way to hold onto myself when everything else felt uncertain.
How important is creativity to you?
Creativity is everything to me.
It’s how I process what I’m going through, especially on the days when Parkinson’s feels overwhelming. When my body feels like it’s working against me, creating brings me back to myself.
It reminds me that I’m still capable, still growing, and still have something to give.
It gives me purpose on the hard days and joy on the good ones.
Our mission is to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s disease. What would this mean to you?
This would mean everything.
It would mean hope, not just for me, but for so many others living with Parkinson’s.
It would mean a future where people don’t have to face the progression, the uncertainty, and the daily challenges that come with this condition.
For me, it means more time. More time with my family, more time creating, and more time living fully in my body. And for the wider community, it means relief, answers, and a real chance at a better quality of life.
That’s something worth fighting for.
That’s the future I’m holding onto.
What is your advice for someone else wanting to make a difference through their creative work?
Start where you are, with what you have.
You don’t need to have it all figured out or wait for the perfect moment. Your story, your creativity, and your voice all matter.
When you create from a place of truth, people feel it, and that’s where real impact happens.
Even the smallest step can make a difference in someone else’s life.
I hope people see that even in the face of challenges, there is still strength, purpose, and beauty.
Parkinson’s is part of my life, but it doesn’t define all of me. Through my work, I want to raise awareness, encourage understanding, and remind others that they’re not alone.
And for anyone facing their own struggles, I hope they see that it’s still possible to create, to grow, and to find light in the middle of it all.
You can support Dernice’s fundraiser by purchasing a pendant here, or support the Shake It Up Parkinson’s Awareness Month campaign here. Every dollar counts in the quest for a cure, and 100% of donations raised will go directly to cutting-edge researchers here in Australia.
