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Kathleen doesn't miss much of anything. She is very knowledgeable, supportive and positive. She has PD. Go back and read what she said. I would add that I think it is a good idea to try support groups to see if they are for you. But you see I'm against telling people what they MUST do. My experience: 1 - ovarian cancer - cancer group in CA- people were on IVs and looked like they were ready for the ovens, mentally and physically. I taught high school all through my chemo and didn't have time. What an ordeal, but I muddled through and made it somehow. My oncologist would not put me on disability!! 2 - PD sg in CA - PD women caregivers did all the talking while their husbands with PD sat mute and meekly by their sides. 3 - PD sg in AZ - I got to sit and talk with fellow Parkies but didn't learn anything new. By all means, try it, as most people swear by support groups. I just tried to get on with my life, such as it is. Ray Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Ann Ryan" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2008 9:09 AM Subject: Re: I have just been diagnosed with Parkinson's > Kathleen, you missed the intention of my post. Support groups, in my > estimation, are the best way to find the finest movement disorder > specialists in the area as well as the best suppliers of assistive > devices. No, they are not for every PWP but they can be of great > assistance to caregivers who are looking for doctors and services. > --------- > Mary Ann Ryan (CG Jamie 68/28 with PD, died 11/20/07) > www.bentwillowfarm.org > >>I believe support groups are not for everyone and can be >>counterproductive. >> A positive attitude is of paramount importance in living with this >> disease, >> and support groups can undermine that. It's next to impossible to look at >> someone whose condition is worse than yours and not imagine that this is >> your future. That is not only dispiriting, but also wrong. PD is >> notoriously >> variable in symptoms and progression from one person to the next. You >> can't >> predict based on someone else's experience what your course will be. >> >> That said, some people thrive on support groups. >> >> I also think those who love and care for PD patients may benefit from >> support groups at least as much as patients do. >> >> Kathleen >> >> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > 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