>Hello everyone, my name is Michael Park. I live on a farm with my wife, Mary, >outside of Harriston Ontario. As an elementary school teacher I've just begun > to 'dip >my toes' into this new technology, little realizing that it would become so > important or compelling for our family--at the beginning of August, this >year, my father was diagnosed with PD. Needless to say we've all had >the wind knocked out of our sails and feel like we're we've been trying to >'grab a cloud 'for the past few weeks. (Is the overuse of metaphor common at >his stage?) The discovery of your discussion group seems like a real >blessing to us. At last a focus, something concrete that we can do, and a >cautious sense of optimism. In two weeks Dad is going in for an initial >assessment by a neurologist in Toronto. As you all must know, we have so >many questions. Perhaps at the risk of seeming blunt I will simply ask the >ones that come to mind immediately, and, if anyone can help with answers >or knows of a source where answers can be found, I would be thankful: > >-What preparation should my mother (who lives with Dad in Brantford) and the >rest of the family make for the neorologist appoinment? > >-As a Canadian, what financial implications will there be with this disease? >Dad has group health coverage through his pension--what quesitons does he need >to ask the administrators of the plan? > >-Being a new member of this group, I realize that a considerable >amount of information is stored in previous files. How do I identify that >information within the files so that I would know which ones to access? > >-Is anyone aware of a support group within the Brantford area? Brantford is >about one hour west of Toronto and 35 min. west of Hamilton. > >-I've downloaded a list of books, videos and tapes from >Ottawa/Carleton, but would appreciate some direction as to which resources >would be most appropriate and useful to our family which is just >at the beginning of this process. > >-What other questions should we be asking? > > >Thanking you in advance, Michael Park >e-mail: [log in to unmask] > >Hi Michael My name is jerry swartz and I run one of the self help groups out of Toronto And will be glad to assist you in any way I can . You can contact me by return E-mail or phone me at 905-771 0282 any time you need help or info jerry