Thanks for the advice. 
In my case, I really don't think my PD was the main factor as I was one of a 
batch made redundant.
You're right about not telling over the phone, though, I told one agent - who 
rang off so fast I think she's disinfecting the receiver !  moron!

Quoting [log in to unmask]:

> I'm also 52 with PD.  Two years ago I was cut from the company I  worked for 
> 
> as a Quality Engineer, due to corporate cut backs.  I  was with the company 
> for eight years.  They said that they eliminated my  position for financial 
> reasons, but they had to hire someone to fill my position  within one month
> after 
> I left the company.  I know that the main reason I  was let go was, that my 
> boss was uncomfortable being around me.  His father  passed away with 
> parkinsons.  For months he would ask if I ever thought of  trying to get
> disability. 
> during the exit meeting with the plant manager,  HR, and Quality manager I
> asked 
> if the main reason they laid me off was because  I had PD?  They all denied 
> that they knew that I had PD.  They lied,  they knew that I had PD for years.
>  
>  
> Well any way, I interviewed with a company and they were impressed with my  
> resume but were reluctant to hire me because they were not sure that I would
> be 
>  physically able to perform the job requirements.  I convinced them that I  
> was the person that they needed.  I made a deal to contract my services to  
> this company on a temporary basis, and if they liked my performance they
> could  
> hire me direct within six months to a year,  I have just been hired in as a 
> 
> Program Manager after working as my own contractor for 19 months.
>  
> Sometimes you have to prove yourself to a prospective employer when you  have
> 
> PD. When job hunting you have to sell yourself extra  hard.  I sent my resume
> 
> to several companies and there were several I  interviewed with that did not
> 
> ask me in for a second interview. I learned from  each interview and sold my
> 
> self harder.  I know it is depressing when you  get rejected at each
> interview, 
> I've been there.  I have learned that you  need to make the best with the 
> hand that you have been dealt.  PD is  going to be with you for the rest of
> your 
> life. 
>  
> With the job market in the dumper the way it is now, it is even harder  to 
> compete for jobs.  They are not as plentiful as they used to  be.  One thing
> I 
> found is, you need to keep  your sense of humor or  you will go nuts. Good
> luck 
> in your job search Amanda.  One thing you  might want to try is don't mention
> 
> that you have PD over the phone to  the employment agent wait until the 
> interview.
>  
> Hang in there, good things come to those who  wait.
>  
> Keith
>  
>  
> In a message dated 10/3/2008 2:02:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
> [log in to unmask] writes:
> 
> I just  got made redundant due to the "credit crunch" -
> any ideas how to stop  employers heading for the horizon
> when they find out I'm a 52-year-old with  PD ?
> 
> Yes, my left side shakes, so I walk with a stick & my  typing
> speed isn't what it was, but I can think, talk and fix software -  now
> how do I convince some wizzy 25-year-old employment agent of  that,
> one such couldn't hang up the phone fast enough just now  (ass!).
> 
> Amanda 
> (aging but still  kicking)
> 
> 
> 
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