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Wouldn’t it be great if there was a national "Parkinson’s Convention"? An event in which PWPs, their families, scientists, neurologists, advocates and professionals from all the foundations could get together and exchange ideas about living with PD and what should be done to conquer it. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Public Policy Forum is awfully close to becoming that event. Now if we can only find a way to abbreviate the title. The Forum is about advocacy. It offers a well-rounded educational experience that touches nearly every aspect of presenting our community’s case to our elected representatives. It’s a complete training program that goes from concept, to role-play to face-to-face interaction with people in Washington who have quite a bit to say about our future. Since the first gathering in 1994 the Forum has always been more than just about political action. It’s also about meeting people. Not just ‘people’ but creative, friendly, intelligent, determined and energetic people who work together for a common cause. They may not be your family members or your best friends but if you want to spend time around some of the best humanity has to offer, you will find them at the Forum. At the first Forum I met Margot Zobel, the woman who conceived of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk and continues to be its heart and soul. I also met Alan Bonander, the first official host of the virtual Parkinson’s community and its foremost authority on the subject. I met Will Johnston, Fred Ziess, Terrie Whitling, Maryhelen DaVilla and many others who continue to hold a special place in my heart. The next year I met The General, Jim Cordy, and advocate-extraordinaire Lupe McAnn, PD publisher Barry Green and still more new faces. Soon Bob and Nancy Martone joined the group along with Carol Walton and Mary Yost of the illustrious California contingent. Then Nicky Gall, Perry Cohen and Dale Severance and the Pennsylvania Haines’ and the New York Fazios and still more who will scold me for leaving them out. The Forum is a spawning ground for advocacy and fundraising: the Unity Walk, The Parkinson Alliance, The Parkinson’s Coordinating Committee and numerous other partnerships and initiatives. It’s a fertile spawning ground for plans and ideas. With each Forum a new Freshman Class arrives to reinvigorate the old-timers and expand our growing circle of friends. The alumni trade war stories and complain that it ain’t what it used to be, but the new recruits bring needed energy to this unique club. It’s a club that exists to bring about positive change but whose members haven’t forgotten how to maintain a sense of humor and have a fun time. A very special lady started this club against all the odds and with minimal financial support. There would be no Forum if it weren’t for Joan Samuelson. Her inspiring example drew Senators Hatfield, Wellstone and McCain to our cause along with Representatives Upton, Waxman and Malone. The "Greatest of All Time" recognized our efforts and saw fit to speak out on our behalf. His arrival on the scene demonstrate conclusively that we were "Invisible No More". Together, after more than three years of tough choices, hard-won cooperation and dedicated effort, we passed the Morris K. Udall Bill, the first legislation promoted by the Parkinson’s grass roots advocacy movement. And now there’s a promising young rookie in the club. Michael J. Fox earned his activist wings on Capitol Hill last fall. Monday night he gave us a powerful boost by reaching out to embrace each and every Forum participant. It was a simple act for Michael but it reinforced in each of us, the wide-eyed rookies and the jaded veterans alike, the great importance attached to our seemingly mundane efforts. Recognition, gratitude and respect . . . it’s powerful currency. Life can be pretty ordinary when you don’t have these things. With them you can move mountains. Sometimes it seems there is a natural law requiring this world to be made up of equal parts joy and pain. Paige Bremer gave inspiration and joy to many. We looked forward to seeing her at the Forum but it was not to be. The circumstances of her absence were a reminder of what drew us to Washington in the first place. Paige disguised her pain so well that it seemed not to exist. Her extraordinary presence will be sorely missed.