 |
 |
To Gerry I certainly don't mean any disrespect to CGs and I hope you didn't take my comment that way, Gerry. I know you CGs have your own list so you can let your hair down and speak frankly about us cranky PWP. Here is what I would like to say: After retiring and before PD hit I took training for volunteer work on cancer wards. One thing they told us survivors was not to tell other people how to do it. I had a brief stint in the ward because I got a part-time job. In speaking to a young woman whose father was a cancer patient, I told her I had survived ovarian cancer (my mom survived cancer too and knowing that helped me, so I thought it might help her, but her dad was dying unbeknownst to me). She said "my father does not have the good kind of cancer" Well I thought the kind I had was not too good, but I guess she told me and I realized I had blown it by not saying instead, "how is your dad doing?" or "how are you doing?" I think trying not to insist on telling sick people what to do is good policy; but you can still tell what works for you w/out beating your head against a wall or me, when someone asks, "how do you cope?" I think this question was directed specifically to PWP, but certainly does not minimize or rule out the knowledge and experience of the CGs. I will still go negative on Bush, even if as you think, it is not in the best interest of the cause. But I am certainly not negative on you and all you do for your husband and PWP in general. The only thing I know about caregiving was being a part-time CG to my mom while having PD myself and before that chasing ambulances to the ER since high school. I can't possibly imagine what you have been through for 19 years with a spouse with PD. I truly apologize if you feel I have demeaned your role in this struggle. Remember too, we are both teachers and as such we had to learn to take charge. If I have slipped again and tried to do that with anyone I am very sorry. I only speak for myself and take full responsibility and the heat for my positions.. Ray ----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg Wasson" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2005 3:40 AM Subject: Re: How do you cope? > Gerry, > > I have known you for five plus years and can truly say you have have been > a mentor to me - a source of inspiration and a voice of common sense. > > Ray, > > We don't know each other personally, but we worked together on the Prop 71 > campaign and with the Stem Cell Action Netwrok. And I have followed your > activities through this listserve. I admire your grit and determination. > > In my book, you both do a helluva job for this community. Thanks. > > Greg > > Gerry Haines <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Also, participate in Clinical Trials for PD, my husband has done 10 of > them > over the years and some are really difficult to finish, but he has. I have > spoken at many Support Groups and have had people (withPD), come back to > me and > tell me for the first time in years, they feel like they are doing > something > to fight this disease. My point, do whatever you can, don't let this > disease > defeat you, and yes, I don't have it, (as Ray told me), but believe me I > have > been through every step of this for 19 years....... > Gerry > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn