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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