 |
 |
All,Linda just reminded me of what I was thinking when I first read that item. I thought "What are we supposed to do,wear a sign on our backs?" The general public doesn't even have understanding for the elderly so why do we think they are going to be any different with us. It's odd how if we were to HANG that sign on our backs I'm sure we would get offers of help,when we all want to do for ourselves as long as we can. Just some thoughts. Shirley -----Original Message----- From: Linda J Herman <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 2:12 AM Subject: Re: PD Awareness Article in Missouri paper Feb 1, 2000 >Congratulations Jeanette, >Great article! I found your article online yesterday and am including it >below for those who missed it or don't have web access. Thanks to you and >your support group members for your contributions to PD awareness. >Linda Herman > >"Parkinson's sufferers see increased awareness of disease" > >By JESS DeHAVEN, [log in to unmask] >St. Joseph's News-Press, Feb 1, 2000 >www.stjoenews-press.com > >"For most of us, paying for purchases with credit cards instead of cash >is a convenience, but sometimes it's a necessity for Jeanette Fuhr. >"Some days I have trouble getting change out of my wallet, my hands just >can't function fast enough, so I'll have to use a credit card instead >because it's easier to get to," > >Ms. Fuhr, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, says. "People behind me >in line are wondering why I can't just hurry up and get my money out, but >with Parkinson's, everything is more of an effort." >Ms. Fuhr, who teaches speech and tutors students at North Central >Missouri College in Trenton, is one of an estimated 1.5 million people >nationwide who suffer from Parkinson's, a chronic neurological condition >marked by symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement and >balance problems. And thanks to celebrities like Michael J. Fox who also >suffer from the disease yet lead active lifestyles, local people affected >by Parkinson's say there is more awareness of the affliction. > > "It's helped immensely because people know who they are and can see >that anyone can get this," Ms. Fuhr says. "Still, there needs to be more >understanding and people should be more responsive." > >The National Parkinson Foundation estimates the disease effects one of >every 100 people over the age of 60, although younger people can get it >too. There is no cure for Parkinson's, which generally worsens over time, >but medication can help control it. > >It's not known what causes the disease. Ms. Fuhr, 49, was diagnosed with >Parkinson's in 1997 after a frozen shoulder sent her to a doctor. She >still works, but in the past two years fatigue from the disease and the >medication she takes to control it has caused her to cut back on time >spent teaching, she says. Fatigue, say those who have Parkinson's, is one >of the more debilitating effects of the disease. > >"Sometimes it's just hard to even hold a book up," says Mildred Davidson, >71, of St. Joseph. "I have to lay down and rest more than most people." >And while she's had to cut back on her square dancing, Mrs. Davidson, who >has had Parkinson's for about 10 years, says her tremors don't keep her >from driving, doing puzzles or most housework. "I have good days and I >have bad days," she says. >"But I get out, putter around in the yard, do the laundry. It doesn't >stop me from living." > >Melvin H. Smith of St. Joseph, 73, was diagnosed with Parkinson's 19 >years ago. Although he retired from his job as a salesman soon after his >diagnosis, like Mrs. Davidson he says he hasn't let the condition hold >him back. He's traveled to Australia, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. >among other places since he's had Parkinson's. >"I've had to stop mowing the yard and I can't lift heavy things, but >really I can do most anything," he says. >In addition to the fatigue, the symptoms of Parkinson's can sometimes be >startling for those who don't understand the disease and embarrassing for >those who suffer from it. "A lot of people practically back up, like it's >catching," Mrs. Davidson says of her tremors. "Sometimes I'll catch >myself holding my hands because I'm self conscious about it." > >Ms. Fuhr says her Parkinson's sometimes throws people off because her >face can seem a bit frozen. "To people who don't know me, my facial >expressions may seem a bit odd," she says. "My Parkinson's involves >stiffness." >Mr. Smith, whose Parkinson's includes tremors, says controlling stress >and exercise can help lessen the symptoms of the disease. And he and the >others say support groups also are an important lifeline which provide >them with an opportunity to exchange information and interact with others >who know what they're going through. > > What also helps, they say, are celebrities like Mr. Fox who make the >world take notice of Parkinson's. "The more we know about it, the quicker >it will get cured," Mr. Smith says. "