Hello and thank you for your welcome Barbara Patterson. I live in Santa Barbara and my mother has Parkinsons. When she found this out some seven years ago i joined the local parkinson association. I met many wonderful people and learned many things. I also made a very close friend who has very advanced PD. My mother is considering pallidotomy. I am having trouble dealing with both interpersonal family issues and now the stress of watching my parents falling apart. i thought i might learn some more from this internet group. I know it will help me to know i am not alone. thank you.