Dear Mr. Highfield:

The National Parkinson Foundatin has established a group that specifically
deals with the needs of the young on-set PD patient. It's called YOPPERS
(Young Onset Parkinson's Patients for Educationa and Research).

If you're interested in becoming a member of YOPPERS and would like to
receive the newsletter, please call our West Coast Office at (800) 522-8855.

To receive the vast array of educational literature published by NPF,
please call our international headquarters located in Miami, Florida at
1(800) 327-4545.

Best Regards,
Melinda Brown
Director of Public Relations, NPF
(305)243-2235









At 12:57 PM 9/5/97 -0400, W.Carol Gray wrote:
>Boyd Highfield wrote:
>>
>> In a message dated 97-09-04 22:29:46 EDT, you write:
>>
>> << to talk with any persons who have recently been diagnosed with
>>  early onset Parkinson's. I'm >>
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> My name is Boyd. I am 55 and diagonosed at 51, although early symptoms
>> started at around 46. At that age, my short term memory fell apart. This
fact
>> and the horrible stress that my job was causing, sent me over the edge into
>> full blown PD.
>>
>> Early PD has many social and economical problems that older patients do not
>> have to deal with, such as a job and, maybe raising children. I am into
>> grandchildren so that wasn't the problem for me, the job was. At any
rate, I
>> left a high paying job for disability and Social Security.
>>
>> As for drugs, my Dr. is keeping me on Sinement for now. I take four tablets
>> per day and this keeps me in control, sort of.
>>
>> Here in Memphis, TN., a new support group is starting for early PD
patients.
>> Much better than going to the 65 and over group.
>>
>> The good news is that with new types of medications, life can still be good
>> for us PD's.
>>
>> Boyd
>>
>> [log in to unmask]
>> 55/3yrs.
>
>Hi Boyd,
>Although I was diagnosed almost 20 years ago (at the age of 37)
>I agree that there are social and economic situations that young onset
>patients experience that may be somewhat different than all PWD
>experience. I was overwhelmed about how I would support myself
>for the rest of my life.  I strongly believe that support groups
>are the best place to seek help. I also believe you can get
>extremely valuable information and advice on this list. So
>hang in there!
>Carol Gray
>[log in to unmask]
>(currently living in Pittsburgh)
>
>