> To Ivan and all readers of the Listserve,
>
> I am really quite surprised that Ivan, and it
> appears at least one other
> reader, took my reference to him as an "aggressive
> Parkinson's
> go-getter" as
> some sort of slight or attack. Nothing could be
> further from my intent.
> I
> meant only to compliment the years of hard work, and
> admirable
> persistence,
> that Ivan has devoted to the cause of Parkinson's
> advocacy.  I take
> responsibility for the words, and sincerely
> apologize to Ivan and anyone
> who
> may have taken it any other way.  I will be more
> careful in future
> postings.
>
> But I did choose that characterization of Ivan for a
> reason.  Like other
> individual advocates, Ivan has different freedoms
> and limitations than
> PAN
> or other national organizations.  An advocacy
> movement, like that of the
> Parkinson's community, relies on different types of
> leadership.
> Parkinson's
> has become a more visible disease and cause through
> the combined
> contributions many individuals and entities -
> including the national
> organizations, public figures like Ali, Graham and
> Fox, and the
> "we-won't-take-no-for-an-answer" community advocates
> like Ivan, Jim
> Cordy
> and the late Elliott Haynes, to name three of many.
>
> To defeat Parkinson's as soon as possible we need
> people like Ivan who
> are
> willing and able to push the envelope with the force
> of their
> personality
> and conviction.  We also need organizations like PAN
> and others to
> perform
> functions individuals cannot.
>
> Lastly, I would like to apologize to the Listmembers
> for whatever
> distraction my post has caused.  One of the jobs of
> staff people like
> myself
> is to help focus and coordinate the energies and
> efforts of the members
> of
> the community, and clearly for some I have succeeded
> in doing just the
> opposite.  I truly regret that, and recognize that
> none of us have the
> time
> for such distractions when there is so much
> important and difficult work
> to
> be done.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Michael Claeys
> Senior Policy Coordinator
> Parkinson's Action Network
> (800) 850-4726
>
>
>

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