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Welcome to the parkinsn list Sandy. The ER storyline has spurred an interesting discussion. My 2 cents worth - I thought the first episode was better, but throughout both of them Don Cheadle's portrayal was extraordinary. It seemed at times like i was watching myself. And for the general public whose image of PWP is often of a senior citizen with shaky hands - ER is presenting an education about young onset Parkinson's and all it's manifestations. How many other people knew about or have witnessed dyskinesia or freezing before? It also didn't seem to me that they were minimizing the toll PD takes on the ability to work. Looking at Cheadle's face and the reactions of those around him - you could see the struggle he is going through. The destruction of our ability to earn a living, of our careers and our working identities is among the cruelest blows PD inflicts on young onset patients. And there are two sides to the problem. As stated earlier -- PWP should not be denied disability benefits by the government or insurance companies due to ignorance about the diseaase. Those making decisions on our disability claims and politicians who set national policies as well, must be educated to understand all of the physical and cognitive symptoms of PD and their impact on an indivdiual's ability to work. They also need to understand that PD symptoms and its progression are very different for each PWP. At the same time there are PWP who are able to continue working many years past their diagnosis. We should have the right to work -- with accomodations if needed, and we should be protected against discrimination by the ADA (in the U.S.) It's not uncommon for PWP, after revealing their PD diagnosis to their employers, to soon be shown out the door . Or their jobs made so stressful and difficult that they have no choice but to quit. The decision on how long we are able to work often depends not only on the progression of the disease, but also on the support offered by our employers, supervisors, and co-workers. All in all, I think these ER episodes are helping to educate the public about PD and increasing awareness - and that can only help all of us. Don Cheadle is supposedly not going to be a regular - he is only scheduled for 4 episodes - i have a hunch on how his story line is going to end , but let's wait and see..... Linda Herman ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn