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As I promised earlier, here's the story behind the parkinsn list. The first sign that anything was wrong with me was a sore shoulder. It continued for months and nothing seemed to help it. X-rays showed nothing wrong. Physiotherapy didn't help. Finally, I was referred to a rheumatologist who gave me a cortisone shot in the shoulder (ouch!). The shoulder was better for a while and then, a year later, another shot of cortisone in the shoulder. Again, relief for a while and a year later I went back to the rheumatologist, this time with a sore shoulder and a sore knee..both on the left side. He decided it was time to get to the bottom of this and sent me to a neurologist who had her own series of tests for me. In September, 1992, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Further tests eliminated other causes so I was still diagnosed with Parkinson's. The neurologist prescribed Selegiline twice a day and come back in a year. I read every book about Parkinson's that I could find. Thank heavens that a faculty member where I work suggested that I only read books that were published within the last few years. I didn't know anyone with Parkinson's. I went to one support group meeting locally and decided that was not relevent to me. (It scared the daylights out of me!) I had joined a discussion list on the Internet called NURSENET owned and operated by Judy Norris. A friend of Judy's, Rina, was walking her dog in a park in Toronto and met a woman named Margret, who was also walking her dog. Margret has Parkinson's and during their conversation asked Rina if there was a discussion list on the Internet about Parkinson's. Rina asked Judy. Judy couldn't find one and posted a message to NURSENET asking about one. I replied that I would join if she found one. Judy suggested (pushed, prodded, urged) that I start one with her help. So, we (mostly Judy) put together a proposal for the University of Toronto (McMaster University did not, at that time, have the necessary software to house a discussion list). The University of Toronto approved the proposal and away we went! Judy posted the new-list announcement in several places on the Internet and we started to grow.... I have benefitted far more from this list than any effort I put into it. I learn, not only about Parkinson's, but also about people...the vast amount of caring and concern that is shown on this list has changed my perception of Parkinson's....I now know that I share it with some very special people...you. Barb