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Dear PIEN members, In 1999, I joined the PIEN discussion list to learn all I could about Parkinson's Disease for the sake of my mother's Parkinsonian care. She and I benefited immensely from everything this list offered us as a learning community. Her name was Helen Urquhart and we lost her on October 12, 2001. She was my best friend. Since that time I have remained a member of this list, reading daily posts and wanting to continue to learn about Parkinson's Disease. Whenever I encounter someone who knows a Parkinsonian, as a matter of course I always refer them to the incredible resource and amazing sense of place that comprises the community of this PIEN discussion list. This brings me to my reason for posting today. Prior to my mother's death, I began a part time graduate degree in Education at a local university. This eventually culminated in my current research into the nature of on-line discussion lists as communities-of-practice. I want to show how the communication medium of PIEN's technology has brought together a wonderfully caring group of people who congeal into a learning community. After certain roadblocks, I have finally resumed my research and to that end, I wish to quote from the PIEN list archive. From it, I am seeking evidence in how PIEN members view the nature of the PIEN list itself, its purpose and benefits. As per the PIEN List Charter, I will remove all names from quotes and will also protect the personal privacy of individual members by not including any intimate details of anyone's personal health care. At the completion of my research, I will make my document available to all PIEN members in the form of a blog that will hopefully invite discussion. The writing of this project is my way of academically documenting the incredible community at work and play within the Parkinson's International Exchange. It is also my way of giving thanks for how it helped my mother and our family when we needed it most. If anyone does not wish their comments to be included in this study, please contact me privately off list since I wish to bring no anxiety to anyone here. With great appreciation for all of you, Joan Urquhart [log in to unmask] Faculty of Education Brock University ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn