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Thanks, Ray. Kay Mixson Jenkins posted a comment to the blog. To read it, and to post their own comments, listers can go to http://parkinsense.blogspot.com . Kathleen 2008/10/3 rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]> > Parkinson's and the Police > > Periodically, stories surface about Parkinson's symptoms arousing the > suspicions of police, leading to harassment and humiliation for someone > whose sole offense is being unable to be still or walk a straight line. > > Such an incident occurred recently in Ashland, OH, where Bob Kendall went > out for a late night walk. Officers stopped him, believing he was > intoxicated, and then took issue with his constant moving. The episode ended > with Mr. Kendall on the ground and handcuffed. He was released only when > another officer recognized him and explained that he has Parkinson's. > > People with Parkinson's (and everyone else) deserve to be treated with > understanding and respect. Realistically, though, there will always be > ignorant people and bullies in the world, and some of them will wear badges. > So, what to do? > > A Google search led me to Flex Your Rights, a not-for-profit whose mission > is "teaching people to understand, appreciate, and assert their > constitutional rights during police encounters." I asked Associate Director > Scott Morgan if he had any advice for those of us whose movement disorders > make us noticeable and vulnerable to police. He wrote: > > There's nothing worse than being hassled due to a medical condition. I > would hope that informing police of one's condition would usually diffuse > most situations. > > The gentleman was walking around late at night, which is fine, but may have > contributed to the perception that he was intoxicated. Folks that are out > and about after dark should be mindful of the potential for > misunderstandings and be prepared to explain their situation if necessary in > as calm a manner as possible. > > It's easy to become frustrated with officers, but it doesn't help, even > when it's totally justified. Police approach you with the assumption that > you're a troublemaker and, unfortunately, it's up to the suspect to > demonstrate otherwise. > > If anyone is treated disrespectfully, I would recommend filing a complaint > and publicizing any mistreatment that occurs. These types of incidents may > help to educate police about dealing professionally with Parkinson's > sufferers. > > Given Scott's advice and Bob Kendall's experience, I plan to make up a > Parkinson's ID-a simple card that states my name, says I have Parkinson's, > and lists my contact person, physician, meds, and allergies. (I've found > vistaprint.com to be a good source for cards.) > > I'll keep a card or two in my wallet with my license and stash some by the > driver's seat in my car. Then I can just hand an officer a card without > speaking, a good thing because a) I might be too nervous to speak, and b) > the less said the better, as you will see if you spend some time at Flex > Your Rights. Check out their Street Stop Scenarios, as well as their video, > which I found to be eye-opening. The examples in the video are mainly geared > for young people, but the principles apply to all. Everyone should spend > some time with these resources. Pass them on. > > If I do have the misfortune to be mistreated by police, I'll turn to the > internet to get the letters, calls, and e-mails flowing. Bob Kendall did, > and police, city officials, and the local paper were flooded with letters > and emails protesting his treatment. He performed a valuable public service > and got a bit of his own back, too. > > photo from dwightsghost on flickr.com > Posted by Kathleen at 3:00 PM 1 comments Links to this post > Labels: civil rights, Parkinson's > > 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 > -- Kathleen Cochran Educational Consultant www.kathleencochran.com 914-478-4047 914-715-3545 (mobile) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn