Barb,
Right back at ya <big smile>,
Greg Leeman
-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara Mallut <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, March 23, 1998 2:34 AM
Subject: Re: OF ALL THE PEOPLE I'VE HEARD FROM...


>Greg, Juuuuuust in case I haven't told ya that I appreciate, respect, and
like
>ya, lately (or ever?), well, I sure do.   AND upon occasion ya even make me
>laugh... <smile>
>
>Thanks for being YOU, Greg...
>
>Sending love your way....
>
>Barb Mallut
>[log in to unmask]
>
>----------
>From:   Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Gregory E. Leeman
>Sent:   Sunday, March 22, 1998 6:40 PM
>To:     Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
>Subject:        Re: OF ALL THE PEOPLE I"VE HEARD FROM...
>
>Dear George,
>
>Maybe vindictive was not proper usage. I have a tendency toward hyperbole
>when defending a friend. I agree that Ivan doesn't need my help and that he
>is an adult. However, I have seen what Ivan faces every day. Parkinson's is
>certainly not a gift in the sense that it's symptoms and side effects are
>not very pleasant. It can be frustrating. And I admit before I met him and
>saw the courage he displays, I found the tone of his posts at times
>abrasive. But, after meeting him and getting to know his relentless use of
>all his energy towards finding help for himself and others, I find myself
>not as objectionable to his approach. Let's face it, it is in fact an
>insidious and continuous struggle that we face in battling PD.
>
>Yes, I have seen benefits through the struggles. I am a far more patient
>person today. I have always been laid back, however, I am much more in
tuned
>with others. For instance, I met a young man through a friend's daughter.
>His name is Jesse. He is a wonderful but troubled youth. All of his trouble
>stems from a severe case of adolescent stuttering. At times he suffers
>speech blocks as long as 5 minutes. People always try to help by answering
>for him or by finishing sentences. People are usually in too much of a
hurry
>to actually converse with him. I have found out that he is a very bright
>young man with a lot of personality. The fact that he has trouble
>communicating is difficult to say the least.
>
>His trouble comes from a need to be heard. At times that need is
>accomplished by seeking attention through actions that are not acceptable
to
>society. He and a friend took his friend's parent's car without permission.
>He happened to be at my friend's house when the police came to question
him.
>He and my friend had fallen asleep in the family room while watching a late
>movie. At 2am the bang at the door was from the authorities to ask Jesse to
>go with them for questioning. Before my friend Mark could think of the
>consequences of Jesse in a contentious situation with his exacerbated
>stuttering it was too late. I know it is wrong for Jesse to use another
>person's property without permission. My compassionate side says that it is
>a prison that he lives in already. Without communication we would find it
>much more difficult to be heard.
>
>Ivan does not suffer from any lack of communication skills. He does fight
>his battle alone most of the time. He is selfish in that regard. Who would
>blame him. In my opinion, Ivan gets frustrated from time to time and maybe
>vents a little through one of the few ears he has the attention of. I know
I
>said their should not be contention or vindictiveness on the list. My plea
>is to just have people try not to react to a general statement that may not
>be true. It may be injurious to some, but it is a very important for us all
>not to overreact. George, I know you have been a thoughtful contributor to
>the list. I bet we all have people we like and those we don't on the list.
>It is natural for us to like certain styles of writing and we think we have
>a perfect picture in our mind of that person. If you knew Ivan personally
>you still might not like his personality, but I bet your respect would grow
>by the minute. He doesn't take too many days off against the battle to find
>a cure. I hope you both can find a common thread to relate with.
>
>Take care and regards,
>Greg Leeman 37/7
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: George Lussier <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Sunday, March 22, 1998 12:57 PM
>Subject: OF ALL THE PEOPLE I"VE HEARD FROM...
>
>
>>Dear Gregory,
>>      Of all the people I heard from I have the most trouble understanding
>>what it is you are saying. I've read and enjoyed some of your previous
>>posting but now I'm not sure what it is you are saying. For example in
your
>>3/21 response to Camilla's posting you say, among your gentle sounding
>>words, "However, the last emotion we need on the list is vindictiveness."
>>Was that comment directed toward my note to Ivan?
>>
>>> If it is in fact taking up space
>>>in an already stressful daily routine, I wonder if it wouldn't be so bad
>as
>>>to react with a little encouragement or not react at all.
>>
>>Are you suggesting that I should react with encouragement when Iven says
>>something that I believe to be unwise or outrageous? Ivans a big boy. He
>>can take the heat.
>>
>>>e been silent a great deal lately.  My reasons are different from
>>>Ivan's.  But, for someone to  say that they have enjoyed that someone
with
>>>Parkinson's is not participating is counter to the foundation of the idea
>of
>>>having a list.
>>
>>I confess, I enjoyed the silence and I doubt the reason for his silence
had
>>to due with his Parkinson. [OF course I don't really know] As to the tape
>>updates I could not  deleted them fast enough. Vindictive? I dont think
so.
>>
>> >I don't know most of you personally, but I do share a common
>>>tragedy ....
>>   Did you ever think of your PD as a gift? I know a few PWPs who are not
>>troubled at all by their illness. One in particular,views  himself as a
big
>>fish in a small pond from where he can influence PD policy and events. He
>>feels that he would have little influence as a more normal person. Is he
>>sick? Not in the slightest
>>
>> >Self-esteem is a fragile but essential part of every human.
>>     Some how I can't view me or what I have to say as damaging Ivan's
>>self- esteem.
>>
>>>please try to have a little empathy when you disagree.
>>         I do feel a little empathy for you. Really I do. So young to be
>>beaten upon by this crappy illness
>>
>>MORE TO FOLLOW SOON
>>   My best
>>   george
>>
>>
>>[log in to unmask]
>>
>