>Hello everyone, my name is Michael Park.  I live on a farm with my wife, Mary,
>outside of Harriston Ontario.  As an elementary school teacher I've just begun
> to 'dip
>my toes' into this new technology, little realizing that it would become so
> important or compelling for our family--at the beginning of August, this
>year, my father was diagnosed with PD.  Needless to say we've all had
>the wind knocked out of our sails and feel like we're we've been trying to
>'grab a cloud 'for the past few weeks. (Is the overuse of metaphor common at
>his stage?)  The discovery of your discussion group seems like a real
>blessing to us.  At last a focus, something concrete that we can do, and a
>cautious sense of optimism.  In two weeks Dad is going in for an initial
>assessment by a neurologist in Toronto.  As you all must know, we have so
>many questions.  Perhaps at the risk of seeming blunt I will simply ask the
>ones that come to mind immediately, and, if anyone can help with answers
>or knows of a source where answers can be found, I would be thankful:
>
>-What preparation should my mother (who lives with Dad in Brantford) and the
>rest of the family make for the neorologist appoinment?
>
>-As a Canadian, what financial implications will there be with this disease?
>Dad has group health coverage through his pension--what quesitons does he need
>to ask the administrators of the plan?
>
>-Being a new member of this group, I realize that a considerable
>amount of information is stored in previous files.  How do I identify that
>information within the files so that I would know which ones to access?
>
>-Is anyone aware of a support group within the Brantford area?  Brantford is
>about one hour west of Toronto and 35 min. west of Hamilton.
>
>-I've downloaded a list of books, videos and tapes from
>Ottawa/Carleton, but would appreciate some direction as to which resources
>would be most appropriate and useful to our family which is just
>at the beginning of  this process.
>
>-What other questions should we be asking?
>
>
>Thanking you in advance,  Michael Park
>e-mail:                   [log in to unmask]
>
>Hi Michael
My name is jerry swartz and I run one of the self help groups out of Toronto
And will be glad to assist you in any way I can . You can contact me by
return E-mail or phone me at 905-771 0282 any time you need help or info
 
 
         jerry