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:-0 Ron, that's just a sign that the Vatican's "Spin Doctors" are hard at work! Bet in his "off-times" the Pope mutters the odd word of annoyance and frustration - in Latin too. Well, I'll go no further; no point in offending some of our folks out there. You're point is well taken, though. Cheers, :-) On Wed, 16 Oct 1996, Ron Reiner wrote: > Hi: > > A couple of days ago I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) news > when they started discussing the Pope and His PD-like symptoms. Although > the Vatican has not confirmed a diagnosis of PD (or anything else) the Pope > was quoted as saying that He "considers his affliction to be a gift of > suffering from God." > > Did I understand this correctly? Or was this quote referring to something else? > > I hope that I heard this wrong. If the Pope is afflicted with PD, He has an > opportunity to do some good for His fellow sufferers by underscoring both > the physical and emotional havoc this disease can wreak. However, by > referring to it as a "gift from God" He is doing all of us a great > disservice. I understand the metaphor and appreciate his stoicism. I'm > sure it gives some sufferers strength; but it minimizes the severity of the > problem in the eyes of the non-afflicted. > > I've only been diagnosed for a year and my physical symptoms are quite > bearable. But the emotional trauma for me has been devastating. I am > constanly worried about supporting my family, putting my kid through > college, being able to work etc. I may be a newbie at this but I do not > recognize PD as a "gift." I hope that I have the wherewithal to face this > and come out emotionally strengthened - but please don't call it a gift. > > Ron Reiner (48 + 1yr) > > Ron Reiner > ------------------- David Robert Austen Masters Degree Program in Information Science Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana 47405 U.S.A. Telephone 812 335 8835 Fax 812 335 8598 --------------------