 |
 |
hi all At 12:06 2001/02/26 -0600, Joan Snyder wrote to me: Re: here is something that... >you might get a kick out of: and i wrote to joan: hey joan, ya mean this? WOW! me ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friend of PDF, From the first time I met Joan, I wanted to share her story with you. Joan is a source of inspiration -- not only for those who suffer from Parkinson's, but for everyone. When her children were young, Joan and her husband felt they had so much to look-forward to. But something was about to turn their world upside down. She thought, "How could something be so seriously wrong with me, I'm only in my 30s?" Then Joan was diagnosed with Parkinson's. She feared she might never again be the same mother, wife, and daughter to the family she cherished more than anything in the world. "I realize now that my doctor was reluctant to diagnose me to what sounded like a life sentence," says Joan. As you are well aware, Parkinson's disease primarily affects older people. But it can also strike down those who are just at the stage of building their careers and their lives. Parkinson's, all too often, robs people of their independence, forcing them to give up careers they've devoted themselves to. For Joan, Parkinson's has meant having to make greater and greater efforts, both mental and physical, to keep up with -- and stay at the loving center of -- her family's active life. She is the family's calendar -- in charge of where everyone needs to be. And with her mother's help, she continues as much household work -- laundry, cleaning, cooking -- as she can. But even with her best effort's, there are times, heartbreaking times, when she just isn't able to get to that extra basketball game, soccer practice, or school meeting. Thanks to your support, Joan is the first to tell you there is reason to hope. (over, please) Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc. 71 West 168th Street New York, NY 10032 (212) 923-4700 (800) 457-6676 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Website: www.pdf.org "I'm glad to have the Parkinson's Disease Foundation behind me. The research they support gives me that spark of hopefulness -- that someday I will be free of this dreadful disease." I know you share our sense of urgency in our funding of vital research. Together, we are seeking a cure during the lifetimes of those who -- like Joan -- are still so young. That is why I'm asking you to renew your support of our important work. You can help us ease suffering and find a cure -- for the sake of people who live with Parkinson's today, and to prevent the disease from striking our children and grandchildren tomorrow. Throughout the world, scientists are recognizing that Parkinson's is the most solvable of all neurodegenerative diseases. And your continued generosity is essential to finding that solution. As you know, PDF helps provide leadership on many fronts in the battle against the disease: - Testing new drugs that will relieve suffering; - Exploring promising surgical treatments, such as neural transplants which replace dying neurons; - Improving access to medical care among people with Parkinson's; - Creating and maintaining support \ul0 groups and other modes of self-help for patients and their families; - Advocating with Washington lawmakers for increased federal funding for research; and - Working with celebrities like Michael J. Fox to educate the public about this debilitating disease. Whatever you are able to give -- $25, $50, $100 or more -- your renewed gift and your moral support will have a tremendous impact on our life-sustaining work. Joan's determination and spirit have inspired so many. She has certainly not given up, I assure you, we won't either. Help us find a cure -- please make a gift today. Sincerely, Robin Anthony Elliott Executive Director of PDF ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- janet paterson, an akinetic rigid subtype parkie 53 now / 44 dx cd / 43 onset cd / 41 dx pd / 37 onset pd TEL: 613 256 8340 SMAIL: PO Box 171 Almonte Ontario K0A 1A0 Canada EMAIL: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.geocities.com/janet313/