Robert MacDonald

Works by Robert MacDonald:

• Home Care A Love Story

From Jan DeGrass in the Coast Reporter, Feb 6, 2009 1:00 AM, ". . .An active publisher, writer and editor of a newspaper for the Native Brotherhood. But when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the activity ground to a halt.

"Depression is imbedded in Parkinson's," said MacDonald. "I was living in the woods on my own trying holistic ways of healing, but being very depressed." When he finally acknowledged that he needed help, he was in awe of the angels that began showing up at his door: the home care workers. They helped him with meals, dressing, medications; mostly they brought him back to life and out of the depths of Parkinson's fatigue. He became particularly attracted to one, Allithia Reid, the co-author of the play that will be performed for three shows only on Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. "She inspired me to do this," said MacDonald of Reid. "She is the co-writer and co-director. What brought me back from depression is that I have talent. My passion is to write. I developed the concept and she jumped in to help." The play is set in Gibsons and many of the lines that the actors will speak in the play are drawn directly from MacDonald's own experience.The play speaks to universal themes of aging, caring and love. Using tender and humorous vignettes, a central storyline develops showing a home care worker, Sara, who encounters complications as romantic feelings develop between herself and a client. She finds herself challenged to step beyond her fears, to take some personal and professional risks in order to follow her heart."