Gary
Barg: I
have been on your
Web site,
julienewmarwrites.com.
And I have to say
with some envy, you
are a terrific
writer.
Julie
Newmar:
That is what I do
now. This is my
sixth career.
Gary
Barg: I
thought there was
just so much honesty
in your writing. I
have been really
intrigued to read
about your diagnosis
with
Charcot-Marie-Tooth
disease and your use
of the braces. How
are you doing with
the braces?
Julie
Newmar: I
just started. I am
in the big
adjustment period. I
am beginning to get
these new legs.
Gary
Barg: When
were you diagnosed?
Julie
Newmar: It
was in such an
offhand way; over
the telephone. To
tell you the truth,
I do not even
remember when it
was. It did not mean
anything to me. I
had this long period
of denial, or not
being there was more
my case; like, oh
no, no, I can walk
over there. And then
I found that I was
brain walking
instead of putting
one foot after
another. My brain
was telling my body
how to walk and,
through the grace of
a lot of charming
people, I did and
did not know. I
still do that; you
know, ask people:
Will you help me
cross the street?
Would you do this?
Gary
Barg: Oh,
they must be
thrilled to do that.
Julie
Newmar:
[Laughs] Well, I get
away with it; and
then at some point,
you have to take the
plunge and see what
there is out there
to help you.
Gary
Barg: I
read a lot about
intention in your
writings. What role
do you think
intention plays in
your role as a
caregiver?
Julie
Newmar: It
is overriding.
Intension is where
you are going to
drive your car and
the trips that you
want to make as
joyous as possible.
I have never
experienced anything
but joy with my
child. I do not even
see anyone that
might have a frown
on their face when
they are looking at
him. Of course, you
know, I have been in
show business. I
have stood on a
stage. I do not look
out into the
audience to see what
they are thinking of
me while I am
performing, whatever
it is I am
performing; because
if I did, it would
disrupt the quality
of what I am doing.
Gary
Barg: What
are you up to these
days; what is going
on?
Julie
Newmar:
Well, I am working
on three books. I am
in my sixth career,
which is writing,
because a year ago I
thought if I cannot
move, if I do not
have my million
dollar dancing legs,
which for me that is
who I am, I am
losing the best
thing I have. I
mean, wham-bam, what
do you do about
that? And then I
realized that I
loved words and I
like to write and I
have this big window
which looks out on
this beautiful
garden. I am a
right-brained person
and so computers are
not my natural
friend, but I found
someone who comes in
every week and
teaches me the
computer so that I
can write. I can
reach people, reach
outwards to the
world; and that so
excited me to
realize you could
reach people like
yourself and talk to
those with whom you
have a real rapport,
a real excitement, a
real beneficial
experience. So, I
started doing this
and now I see
happily how it is
paying off. But even
if I did not walk, I
could do what I am
doing now with
enormous pleasure.
