[no subject]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 1995 11:05:47 -0500 (EST)
From: Barbara Patterson <patterso@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: nightly@xxxxxxx
Subject: Parkinson's

As the 'listowner' of the Parkinsn Information Exchange Network (a
discussion group of 960+ members from about 30 countries), I feel I
should comment on your description of Parkinson's as an "inconvenience".
Parkinson's is more than inconvenient.  The diagnosis of Parkinson's is
not a death sentence; it's more like a sentence to life in prison with NO
parole and the ban against 'cruel and unusual punishment' is not in
effect.  Parkinson's robs its victims of mobility, independence and, in
many cases, even the small pleasures in life.

Instead of looking forward to the future, those with Parkinson's face a
future full of questions. Will Parkinson's get so bad that I will need a
full-time caregiver?  Will I become unable to work?  Will I become unable
to enjoy things such as going out for dinner because the progression of
Parkinson's has made eating a challenge instead of a pleasure (and has
also made it very unpleasant for someone else to see)?  Will I suffer
from depression (most people with Parkinson's do)?  Will I be one of
those whose symptoms progress to dementia (will I know it if it happens?)?

The drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson's, as with most drugs, have
side effects.  As the disease progresses, the amount of the drugs is
increased.  Eventually, it becomes a choice between a rock and a hard
place...are the side effects worse than the symptoms?  Do I opt for one
of the 'stop-gap' surgeries?  Some of them produce marvelous results but,
even the neurosurgeons who perform them say that it is not a cure and it
is not forever.  Ask Dr. Robert Iaconno at Loma Linda Hospital or Dr.
Patrick Kelly in New York how 'inconvenient' Parkinson's is.

If you wish to see for yourself how 'inconvenient' Parkinson's is,
perhaps you could visit Senator Morris Udall.  He is in the final stages
of Parkinson's.

I wish Janet Reno well.  I hope Parkinson's is never more than an
'inconvenience' to her.  But research dollars are really the only answer.