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Dear Representative Gibbs: The Parkinson's community was shocked and outraged to learn of the brutal and cruel treatment of Ashland resident and Parkinson's disease patient, Bob Kendall, by members of theAshland Police Department on August 27, 2008. Like us, Mr. Kendall is disabled with Parkinson's disease, as well as epilepsy, diabetes and high blood pressure. He is not a drunk. Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive uncurable disease that robs people of the ability to speak and move normally. We have great difficulty doing things most people take for granted, like buttoning a shirt, brushing our teeth or cutting up food. That is only the tip of the iceberg of pain, suffering and frustration experienced by persons with Parkinson's, their families and caregivers. We believe beyond a public apology, a thorough investigation must be made of this incident and the officers involved suspended without pay until it is resolved. Perhaps the officers could attend the nearest Parkinson's support group for a year and wear Parkinson's awareness bracelets when they get some idea of what it is like to serve the life sentence this disease imposes. Representative Gibbs, would you help us by sponsoring a bill in the Ohio State Legislature which would require that medical personnel, law enforcement and first responders be educated about Parkinson's disease and its treatment?. People with Parkinson's who are hospitalized have horror stories about it due to the ignorance of the people treating them. They are often mistaken by law enforcement as being under the influence of drugs or alcohol because often officers have preconceived ideas as to what is wrong with them and will not listen to explanations. Parkinson's disease has stolen the lives of over 1.5 million Americans and who knows how many people worldwide. It is no joke and not a subject for ridicule or mockery. Disabled Americans certainly deserve humane treatment by the people who are supposed to serve and protect them. We hope you will help us raise awareness and educate people about this disease. Nobody deserves this curse or should be attacked and humiliated as Bob Kendall was last week. Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn