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I had sent several messages over the last few weeks about OPCA and Parkinson's as my mother and her sisters have these syndromes. I had recently asked for assistance about my aunt who has OPCA and one reply indicated that the treatment would be similar to Parkinson's. This is true but I wanted to point out that almost all of the subscribers on this list live in large cities or have access to a large center. The city I live in is 63,000 my family lives in a small town of 1200 people that is one and a half hours from here if the roads are good (they live in the Rocky Mountains) and they live 2 and a half hours from Calgary where the majority of specialists etc. are. Having access to the latest ideas, technology and professionals is a real disadvantage for those who live in rural areas with syndromes such as Parkinson's or whatever. It is important and necessary to try and help the health professionals in those rural areas. And yes, some of my aunt's symptoms from OPCA are similar to Parkinson's but many aren't. For example her speech is far worse than my mother's or most people I know with Parkinson's. My aunt is also going blind and cannot see past 6 pm and she has no balance at all (again a symptom my mother does not have nor do most people I know with Parkinson's). I think it is also important not to lump all these symdromes together, as they have their unique features. I would suggest that people on this network sign their last name when corresponding, I am not the same Judith who also has a mother with Parkinson and has asked about the protein diet. Just a friendly suggestion. Judith Kulig