ILLINOIS: Rep. Evans Says He's Still Fit For His Position
Challenger claims Parkinson's impairs his ability to represent

September 8, 2004

By MOLLY PARKER of the Journal Star

GALESBURG - About eight years ago, at a parade in Galesburg, U.S. Rep. Lane
Evans realized something wasn't right.

"I had problems waving my hand," the Rock Island Democrat recalled in a recent
interview from his Galesburg office. "It just suddenly happened, and it shocked me."

Evans later was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a degenerative disorder of the
central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular
coordination.

These days, Evans moves slower than he used to, and his speech is somewhat
muddled. Parkinson's also has weakened his eye-hand coordination, and mundane
tasks such as opening a car door now require his full concentration.

Though some days are tougher than others, Evans, who is seeking his 12th term in
the House, said he's still fit for the job.

But in this year's election, Evans faces a Republican challenger, former television
news anchor Andrea Zinga, who thinks he is no longer healthy enough to effectively
represent the 17th District, which includes all or portions of Fulton, McDonough,
Warren and Knox counties.

"He becomes less effective all the time, probably because of his declining health,"
Zinga told an individual recently at an event she attended in Dunfermline, a small
village south of Canton. She said voters should be aware of his health status.

"The fact of Mr. Evans' health is a fact and we stated it as a fact: He is not well,"
Zinga said Tuesday. "Never have I said that he is less of a person because of it or
that the disabled are not able to accomplish and achieve great things. This is about
one man and one job description."

After Zinga first questioned his health in January when she announced her
candidacy, Evans said his office was flooded with letters of support. Evans has
declined Zinga's requests for a public debate.

"It's just the same thing over and over and I refuse … to be treated in such a
manner," Ev-

ans said. "She's said all kinds of very bigoted things about not just me, but about
other people, and I don't know why we'd want to share the spotlight with her after
what she's done."

Joel Gerstel, executive director of the American Parkinson's Disease Association,
said individuals with Parkinson's are usually well aware of their physical limitations
and would know better than an outside observer if they should quit a job or activity.

"If it was that debilitating and the man couldn't walk or speak, he would know well
enough to say, 'I can't do it.' But until he reaches that stage, he certainly can,"
Gerstel said. "For (her) to be using it as a campaign issue is ridiculous."

Speaking at a jobs rally in Galesburg on Saturday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a fellow
Democrat, also defended Evans.

"His opponent says because of his Parkinson's disease he can't represent you in
Washington," Durbin said. "Well, I want to tell you something. Lane Evans is the
strongest congressman, the hardest fighter for working people in Illinois and for
veterans in the United States Congress."

Nationwide, some 1.5 million Americans suffer from Parkinson's, including public
figures such as actor Michael J. Fox, former Attorney General Janet Reno and Pope
John Paul II.

Dr. Melanie Brandabur, medical director of the National Parkinson's Foundation
Center of Excellence and Movement Disorder Center in Hoffman Estates, said most
people with Parkinson's do not suffer mental limitations in the early stages of the
disease, and that speech difficulties are not a sign of declining intellect.

Noting that every patient is different, Brandabur, who does not know Evans, said
some patients are affected mentally in the later stages of the disease, usually
decades after they are diagnosed, though some patients see a decline earlier in
how quickly they can process information.

For example, she said, "It might take a person longer to balance their checkbook,
but they'll still be able to balance it appropriately."

Evans said his mind remains strong, and that he is realistic about what he can do.

"Sometimes you get up wondering how you're going to be imprisoned in this body
for the rest of your life. That's when it's a bad day," Evans said. "But I think one of
the nice things out of this ... is that there's been such an outpouring of support from
staff, family and through all of our supporters. That's what helps me get through the
day."

SOURCE: Peoria Journal Star, IL
http://www.pjstar.com/news/topnews/b43pv0fs025.html

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