“Just Breathe”, the new record from Singer/Songwriter and self proclaimed Renaissance woman on wheels; the differently abled and exceptionally gifted former “Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts” Pidgie (Patti Panzarino) – is available on Spotify and all the major music services now!
Born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Pidgie learned to self-advocate from her now-deceased older sister, who had the same disability and mentored her at a very young age.
“The more that people with disabilities push through obstacles and participate in life, the more people will really see us,” says Pidgie, “and our acceptance and encouragement to participate increases. It becomes an upward spiral.”
Pidgie’s dedication to the theme of empowerment is unshakeable.
“Many people think that obstacles can be just physical,” she says. “But that can be changed by laws and creativity. I believe the biggest challenge toward people with disabilities are attitudes from others. I have always been one to look people in the eye and smile and say hello.”
It is obvious that Pidgie has triumphed over obstacles her entire life. Raised in the Sixties and mainstreamed, she has lived on both sides of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Hofstra University, becoming president of the organization for students with disabilities and taking two First Place trophies in wheelchair karate. She worked in both the corporate world and in the performing arts world.
“There is always a song going through my head,” Pidgie remarks, continuing: “My influences run from Stevie Nicks to Natalie Merchant, Edie Brickell, Aimee Mann and Christine Ohlman. I sing with a lot of feeling. I reach deep down into my heart and pull it out. Recently, podcaster Aj Wachtel said I sounded like Marianne Faithful ‘who purrs, then growls’—I love that!”
Pidgie was a founding member of the Coalition for Disabled Musicians (CDM) and currently serves as its vice-president. She was co-host of a popular cable TV program and hosted her own live Christian radio show on disability and empowerment for two years. She competed and won Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2012 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Ms. Wheelchair America Leadership and Advocacy Competition.
Stream Just Breathe now on Spotify or purchase here:
