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Jim Slattery: I'm sitting here stunned that you've covered so many topics in todays messsages which have been on my mind lately. Hmmm... (wondering is PD also makes us mind readers?) <grin> With regards to falling and balance, Dr .Tom Reese of San Anselmo, California, and a fellow Parkie, has developed (he's heavy into PD research) a unique type of glasses lense - a blue lense - which has a rather remarkable balance (and more!) restorative effect on the average Parkie! I saw it in action not long ago when Alan Bonander, guest speaker at our local PD support group, brought along pair of these remarkable glasses. THe effect was instant, and astounding!!! And I cannot help but wonder why all persons with a movemen disorder like that of PD aren't walking 'round sporting these blue-lensed glasses! ALAN BONANDER: (Pssst) <whispering> I know yer there, ALan, so ya can't get out of it... <grin> PLEASE explain the concept of the blue lense and share whatever info you have about it here (once again). And Alan, m'dear.. I forgot to ask ya when I saw ya at the meeting, has Tom made these lenses (in glases, presumably) available for purchase? If so, where can we get them? THANKS, Mr. B. (Barb waves at Alan, and blows him a kiss) <giggle> Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: PARKINSN: Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network on behalf of Jim Slattery Sent: Saturday, May 18, 1996 9:56 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Re: Falling too often. > From: Bethany L. Johnson > My mother seems to have the same problem that you do. She can't seem to > get her feet going, but I've found that if we verbally prompt her as to > what to do (eg. say "left foot") then it helps to get her feet moving. It is amazing the things people do to aid this immobility. I have seen people use the lines in a pavement as visual prompts - one male carer held a hair broom in front of his wife's feet, for her to step over - a male PD had a gadget fitted at right angles to his walking stick to act as an obstacle to be overcome. PD's are often able to negotiate stairs, but have great difficulty on the flat. I can only feel that this is some sort of biofeedback, or conditioned -v- learnt behaviour. Perhaps it has something to do with the conscious -v- subconscious mind. But what the heck! Whatever works, do it, I say, and let the boffins figure it out later. Though I can't help feeling that a little research into the phenomenon might help a whole lot of people, such as accident victims, multiple sclerosis sufferers, etc. Probably no money and little glory in it. Jim