---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 22:30:42 -0500 From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Fwd: Intoducation Thanks Barbara for the welcome. What a joy it was to find all of you! I was diagonosed with PD four years ago but like so many others, the symptoms were there a a few ears before but we didn't know what it was. I am now 54 and teaching full time with the help of SInemet. This year has been difficult and I am wondering how other teachers know when it is time to give it up. I saw a PD specialist this fall at my own expense, since my HMO will not allow me to see her, and she seems to think that I am in the beginning stages of Level II. She is associated with the Parkinson Center for Excellence in Newport Beach and does many of the educational seminars for the hospitals and doctors in our area. She is from Canada so you might know her, Dr. Janet Chance. I seem to be educating my doctors on the fact that there needs to be a "team approach" to PD. They are cooperating and giving me what I need but it means that one has to be really pro-active! Reading the letters and information from the list has been encouraging and I am impressed with the humor, intelligence and hopefulness of everyone. Your kindness and caring for one another touches my heart. I feel honored to be in such company. II look forwwad to comunicating with you in the days to come. Thanks for the making this possible. Take care. Brenda