Re: hi pd people

["Bonnie Cunningham, R.N." <bcunning@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Barbara:

I have heard of so many people, such as yourself, who have gone through a
very difficult period waiting to be diagnosed.  You are correct,
particularly when people are younger, Parkinson's sometimes is not even
considered.  The fact is, there are many, many young people with
Parkinson's.  I personally know of 3 young children (a 7 year old,
a 10 year old and a 13 year old) in the United States with Parkinson's
disease. I am sure that there are others, some possibly misdiagnosed
because of their age.  What a shame!

Unfortunately, too, many people are told that there symptoms are
psychological.  This puts such a strain on the person and on the entire
family. No, you are not "nuts"....your symptoms are very real.

I do hope that now that you have a correct diagnosis, you are receiving
appropriate treatment.  Again, this is where a Movement Disorders
Specialist comes into play.  Also, educating yourself and family as much as
possible on all aspects of Parkinson's will help all of you cope with the
changes in your lives. If you need informational books, etc., please call
us at NPF (800)327-4545.  We have a wide variety of publications that are
free and available to anyone that needs them.

Best wishes!

Bonnie Cunningham, R.N.
Patient Services Director
NPF

Date:    Mon, 10 Aug 1998 18:45:51 -0400
From:    Barbara Davis <barbd05@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: hi pd poeple

> my name is Barbara.  I have been on the list for quite a while.
> I was diagnosed August of 93.  It took the doctors, to years to tell me,
> that I had Parkinson's.  I know that is not unusual.  Especially when you
or young, I am 53 now.  one of the first symptoms, art he had.  I could not
cut my neat.  I could not scramble.  And I could not open the back door.
my husband thought I was knots.  .  When the doctors told me I had
Parkinson's.
> I was glad in a way.  There was something wrong with me.  Now my husband
would believe me.
> I retired from walk December of 95.  I was a bookkeeper.  I was good at
the key board with numbers.  .  Now I am not good at the adding machine.
> The hardest thing I find now is getting out of bed in the morning.
> I am on Parkinson's chat, with  Marvin on mirc or purch..  Please come by .
> barbd05@xxxxxxxxx
>
> Another Barbara to the list