Terrie Whitling wrote:
>
> I wrote the following piece soon after hearing of the death of a very dear
> friend of mine, Steve Mulligan.  Many of you knew him personally, others knew
> of him through his website - The Mulligan Foundation.  Most of you may not
> have known Steve, but you have friends much like Steve.  I share this with
> you, who understand my grief, my anger and my frustration. I share this with
> you because Steve is the  first one of my friends with PD to die!!   I share
> this with you, also, to challenge you to do more.
>
> Dear Steve,
>
> You left us so suddenly July 30th.  It takes my breath away to think about
> you being gone.  I keep thinking that it can't be true.  Surely this is
> someone's idea of a bad joke. You were too young - only 49!!  It seems like
> yesterday when we last talked -  me giving you my cheerleader "rah rah", and
> you making me laugh with that slow, dry wit of yours.  Until now, I would
> become indignant when I'd hear someone speak of another's  cause of death as
> being "from" Parkinson's Disease. My curt reply was always, "We don't DIE
> from Parkinson's Disease.  We just, sometimes, wish we would."  Now I am
> indignant because your death forces me to face the reality that PD DOES KILL
> US.  For some of us, it's an emotional death, others a spiritual death.  And
> for you, my dear friend, the ultimate, physical death.
>
> I am angry at PD for defeating you in your battle to survive.  You, who were
> so gifted, so unique, so ALIVE - you had much work yet to do.  WE had much
> work yet to accomplish together -  The Mulligan Foundation, support groups,
> so many ideas!  Your death shouldn't have occurred now.  Yes, I am grateful
> for the time your Pallidotomy afforded you, but it wasn't enough, was it? The
> recent breakthroughs in medications and newer surgical technques didn't come
> in time for you.  Why is it that the condition of our existence boils down to
> money?  I hate that!  I know that if our research had been adequately funded,
> you wouldn't have suffered as you did. Perhaps, you wouldn't be gone from my
> life.
>
> The research at Emory, albeit one of the finest and most prestigious, has
> seriously inadequate funding for the work that is needed to help those of us
> you left behind.  Right now, the very program that gave you and me HOPE,
> bought us precious time with our Pallidotomies and offers hope to thousands
> of others, is in grave need of money.  For two years now, I have closed my
> ears to the constant pleas to raise money for Emory's Parkinson's Research.
>  From a Social Worker/Cheerleader point of view, I couldn't justify using my
> talents and skills in that way.  Two things have occurred to change my
> attitude.
>
> Having worked for well over 3 years to get the Udall Bill passed, I now
> understand how slow and seemingly, inadequate the political process can be.
>  Even if the Udall Bill were passed today (and I pray that it will be), it
> wouldn't solve the financial problems existing in Parkinson's research.  IT
> WOULDN'T SAVE YOUR LIFE.  It is only a step, a very important step, toward
> adequate funding  - towards saving the lives of our friends.  The major
> breakthroughs (dare I hope for a cure in my lifetime?) won't be possible
> without money from the private sector.
>
> The financial issure becomes much more personal when, because of the
> disparity, some one I love dies.  Your death now  provides for me the
> understanding, committment, determination and passion to raise money for
> Emory' s Parkinson's reseach program - hopefuly to prevent our friends with
> Parkinson's from suffering as you did.
> Steve, your life  added value to the lives and filled the hearts of many!
> Your death, too, adds equal, if not more, value.  I promised you better days
>  ahead, didn't I?   Selfishly, I wanted those "better days" to be spent here
> on earth.  I wanted to share them  with you.  I know, though,that where you
>  are now, you ARE enjoying those "better days."
>
> In your memory, I reaffirm my vow to do all that is within me to continue
>  offering hope of  better days ahead for all of our friends who continue the
> PD battle.  I also vow to do all that I can to assure that the money is
> available to make that hope a reality so others won't have to suffer us you
> did....it assure us all that your suffering had purpose. Your proud, fighting
> spiirit  lives on in me and in all of your family and friends - all who were
>  privileged to share a part of your unique life. Thank you Steve, for showing
> me how to live in dignity  with PD!                         Missing you,
> Terrie
>
> For those of you who would like to express your sympathies to Kathy, Steve's
> wife.The address is:  Kathy Mulligan
>                   10663 Nine  Mile Road
>                   Whitmore Lake, Michigan  48189
>
> At the family's request, all memorials in Steve's name are to be sent to:
>
> Emory University
> Department of Neurology
> WMB - 6000, P,O, Drawer V
> Atlanta, Georgia  30322
>
> checks made out to :  Emory Pallidotomy Research FundTerrie, this might be appropriate for newsletter.  Let's talk. Lynda