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Today, I faxed or e-mailed the following letter w/ minor variations to Kassebaum, Meyers, & Roberts. I am contemplating contacting some local media sources as well. I have only identified 2 other Kansans on this list serve since I began. Would like to know what others in our state are doing. Thanks. ********** May 20, 1996 The Honorable Pat Roberts U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 [log in to unmask] re: H.R. 1462, The Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research & Education Act Dear Pat: I would appreciate knowing your position on this important health bill which I understand was first introduced on April 6, 1995, and currently has over 200 House and Senate Co-sponsors. More and more young people are being diagnosed with this progressive neurological disorder that destroys brain cells controlling motor function. I myself was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 44, over 11 years ago. What triggers PD may be a variety of environmental and other factors, but currently its symptoms of tremor, slow gait, facial mask, etc. can only be temporarily allieviated with available treatments, and over time these treatments become less and less effective. Scientists and research physicians are offering opinions that "there is no other neurological disease about which we have so much information.... Significant improvements in treatment may already by available among procedures now in trials. And surely a cure is on the horizon...it also is important to remember that research in this area has traditionally had a major impact on many other areas of clinical research..."* An upgrade in government support, which I understand is presently far less than for many other diseases, is thus timely and has long-term economic and human resource benefits. For I can testify personally to how my productivity to my family and community has been sharply curtailed, and when I think of the possible care I could need down the road which would be beyond the resources of my family or the scope of any available private insurance, I see the spector of being dependent on the government. I think, therefore, that I represent many for whom even more intensive research now makes much more likely a win-win outcome for patients, their families, their communities, and their governments. I would welcome your attention to this matter, to hear your view, and to respond to any concerns I might know the anweer to or could research. Thank you. Barbara Blake-Krebs [log in to unmask] __________________________ *Michael J. Zigmond, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh ec: Parkinson List Serve