Cathy Dobson/The Independent

“Til we are old and grey

And honey, that’s okay

Til the stars won’t shine

Til the poets lose their mind and if all these things happen, you know I’ll love you still.

Yes, my darling, I will until.”

Chorus from Pam Chin’s song Until for husband Pat

A smile comes over his face each time Pat Chin listens to the song his wife Pam wrote for him.

At age 74, he is coping with Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that steals his sleep, challenges his motor skills and creates debilitating fatigue.

It’s been four years since the couple received the devastating diagnosis and Pam took on the role of caregiver.  Rather than travelling and looking forward to all that they wanted to do in retirement, they now have to cater to Pat’s limitations.

“Patrick is always apologizing to me, always saying this is not what I signed up for,” said Pam.  The two who live in Point Edward, have been married for 42 years and have an adult daughter.

“It’s not easy and it changes our entire life, but I tell him there’s no need to apologize,” she said.  “I say it’s a different life altogether but we can take each day as it comes and I’m happy I can be his caregiver.”

That’s what inspired her to write a song and surprise him with it on his birthday.  Pam, a longtime musician who plays the ukulele and leads a local group called The Good Times Ukulele Club, wrote ‘Until,’ a song for all Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers that reflects on their love and commitment to one another.

“The first time he heard it, he had the biggest smile on his face and asked for the lyrics,” she said.

When The Good Times Ukulele Club heard ‘Until,’ they chose to play it at one of their performances.  “The audience seemed to really love it,” said Pam.

That led to a recording at Off the Record studio in Sarnia where lead guitar, drums, violins, keyboard and bass were added.

Since the song was picked up by a distributor, it’s available on iTunes and numerous streaming services including Spotify, Amazon Music and about 18 others.

It’s listed under its title ‘Until’ with performer Pam C. and is available to download for 99 cents.

“It’s a caregiver’s song to their loved one dealing with Parkinson’s,” said Pam.  “So I hope it resonates with caregivers as well as people with this disease and lets them know they do not need to apologize.  That’s not how I feel at all.”

All proceeds generated by the streaming services are going to Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario (PSSO).

“I’d love to give them $10,000. They are such a lifeline and so helpful for people with Parkinson’s,” Pam said.  “We especially appreciated PSSO when Pat was first diagnosed.”

About 100,000 Canadians live with Parkinson’s and its related disorders.  Nearly three out of five of those affected are men with 60 being the average age of onset. While tremors and shaking are frequently telltale signs, it’s not always the case.  Symptoms also include impacts to motor skills and cognitive decline.

The Good Times Ukulele Club will perform ‘Until’ and other selections at the 2025 Sarnia Lambton Walk for Parkinson’s on Sept. 7 at the Seaway Kiwanis Pavilion in Canatara Park.