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i was diagnosed with PD at age 44. my husbband had died a ddfe w ,mlpiuob nr g e e wrrtgfj k ----- Original Message ----- From: Cecil Barnes <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 10:08 AM Subject: Retirement question > Hello everyone. I'm 54 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's about > four months ago. I imagine I've had it at least a couple of years. Really > noticeable symptoms started occurring about a year ago. I'm probably asking > the impossible, but I'd like you to help me make a decision regarding > retirement. Do you think I will be able to work for another five years? > How long typically does it take before someone with Parkinson's gets to the > point where they do not feel comfortable going to work and being around > other people? If I retire on disability, my retirement check will be > considerably higher. But I can't retire on disability unless my doctor > completes a form stating that my condition is such that I am unable to do my > job. I have a manager's job that doesn't require much physical exertion. > > Under a special program just passed by the state legislature, I can retire > now (based on number of years worked) but continue to work for up to five > years while my retirement check is placed in an escrow account. It's a > great opportunity that I would like to take advantage of because I would > still receive my regular monthly salary also. But once I sign the form, the > amount of my retirement check is locked in. If I become disabled one year > from now, I could not then retire on disability because I would already be > "retired." I would have to quit my job and just receive my regular > retirement check, which would be much less than if I had retired on > disability. My doctor says that I will be in better shape in 20 years than > I am now. I'm sure he is just trying to be optimistic. From what I've > read, some people with Parkinson's start having considerable difficulty > after only a few years. The medication has helped some of my symptoms but > I'm still experiencing rigidity in my left leg. The medication works for > about three hours, but wears off about an hour before my next pills are > due. > > I realize Parkinson's is very different from one person to the next, and > that there is really no way to predict how quickly my condition will > progress. But any insight you can provide would be appreciated. > > Cecil Barnes