 |
 |
We did post it earlier. Ted & Carole ----- Original Message ----- From: "rayilynlee" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 9:34 AM Subject: Re: Parkinson's Patient Deals With Disability With New Invention > This is one I tried to post, Ray > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Cottingham" > <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 10:03 PM > Subject: Parkinson's Patient Deals With Disability With New Invention > > >> The source of this article is WRAL.com: http://tinyurl.com/bd7uu >> >> Video: Parkinson's Patient Deals With Disability With New Invention >> Next Step Website http://www.icanstep.com/ >> >> Parkinson's Patient Deals With Disability With New Invention >> >> POSTED: 6:10 pm EST January 25, 2006 >> UPDATED: 9:07 pm EST January 25, 2006 >> >> RALEIGH, N.C. -- Mike Tucker is a big guy who loves protecting others. At >> the 1996 Olympics, he was a bodyguard for Michael Jordan, Mary Lou Retton >> and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf. >> >> "I was a police officer, in the gym six days a week, rode a bike 40 miles >> on the weekend, and I could bench press 350 pounds," said Tucker. >> >> But not anymore. While working at the Olympics, Tucker realized something >> was wrong. >> >> "I noticed when I was there, my left side got a lot weaker," he said. >> >> At 40, Tucker developed Parkinson's disease -- a disease that would >> slowly >> kill his muscles. >> >> "Every day, you get worse than the day before," he said. >> >> He was forced to retire and now works in his wood shop. Tucker was doing >> OK >> until one day he and his family went out for lunch. >> >> "My legs wouldn't take me where I wanted them to, and I was leaning on >> the >> chairs and watching my family sit there and watch me," said Tucker. "It >> was >> pretty heartwrenching to see them watch me try to get to the table. I was >> determined at that point I was going to do something about that." >> >> That something was his patented invention called the Next Step. He took a >> cane and added a small lever that flips out to the side when the cane is >> pressed down and falls back into place when the pressure is released, >> allowing the eyes to trick the brain. >> >> "I'm not able to move hardly at all," said Tucker. "But if I use this >> cane >> and I have an obstacle, I can step over it and get the next foot up >> there." >> >> Now at age 50, Tucker's hands and legs still quiver, but he is able to >> walk >> -- all because he refused to give up. >> >> "The cane really is like a miracle for me," he said. >> >> Before Parkinson's, Tucker spent his adult life helping people. He hopes >> his invention will allow him to again help others. For more information >> about Next Step, call (888) 344-7687. >> >> Reporter: David Crabtree >> Photographer: Ken Bodine >> Online Editor: Dana Franks >> >> Copyright 2006 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be >> published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> 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