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Dear Mayor Stewart: The Parkinson's community was shocked and outraged to learn of the brutal and cruel treatment of Ashland resident Bob Kendall by members of the Ashland 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 incurable 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. 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