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Couldn't agree more with Sheila's reply. I don't think we should be too hard on the media's questions or even the 'tone' that they deliver the report (I was struck by a local newscaster's death-like delivery of the story on Reno). Until Jeff had PD I knew no more that everyone else. Actually, it took a while even after Jeff was diagnosed becaused I had a could case of denial. So is the glass half empty or half full- I choose to see it half full i.e. this could be a great opportunity to educate about PD and what the PD community needs in terms of the Udall Bill, etc. I'm sorry for Janet Reno on a personal level, but it can only work for the better that a high profiled person was diagnosed and more importantly, came out publicly about it. One thing I think is unfortuate is that the Congress and the President are enmeshed in the budget battle - this would be a great time to use the PR momentum to garner more Congressional support for the Udall Bill. Regards, Lisa Carper >In a message dated 95-11-16 15:18:40 EST, you write: > >><FYI. Just wanted you to know that I heard on the news that Janet Reno told >>>reporters that she has been diagnosed with Parkinsons. It's really >>>interesting about how many people are asking if she is going to resign. >>>Stupid people. They don't seem to want anyone who is "tainted" or not >>>perfect by their standards. > >I think that this points out exactly how much education the general public >and the media, etc. need about Parkinson's. It may not be that they don't >want anyone tainted, it may just be ignorance of what Parkinson's really >involves. It seems to me that it is our job to continue to speak out in >public about Parkinson's so that people have a better understanding of the >disease. I remember a time when Alzheimer's disease and Breast Cancer were >just as misunderstood by the public, media and government. This provides an >opportunity to educate a huge number of people and to gain support nationwide >for Parkinson's related research. > >Now I will get off my soapbox. > >Sheila Heath >Parkinson's Action Network > > --