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Hello. My name is Norbert. I have been reading the PARKINSN messages for a few days now. Since I am new to the group, may I introduce myself. Briefly, I am 62 years of age and have been diagnosed in 1989 as been afflicted with the disease. I had the good fortune been able to work until August of 1995 as a Field Engineer at the Test and Measurement Division of a prominent electronic and computational company. This was an intensely interesting job, which I loved very much. I finally came to realise, that my condition is not helped, if I were to continue this heavy workload. After consulting with my very supporting wife, a few friends and with my neurologist, I decided to stop working and relief this pressure point. Indeed, my symptoms improved somewhat, but it took almost a year to leave my life behind, so to say. At first, there were lots of phone calls from colleagues asking for this and that. Gradually this became less and I woke up to the fact, I can and must organise my life with the talents which remain available to me. Fortunately I can walk, talk and still drive my car, although all those activities are effected with the usual limitation imposed by the disease. In my case, I reorganised my life around reading studying all the things which I always wanted to do, when I have time. To know more about our ancient history, pick up my language studies again (I never make an orator as my speech muscles a far to inflexible) enjoying good music and trying to grasp the elementary rules of writing. All that, by binding these activities into a semi-rigid time table, for I fear, if I do not approach my life this way, I never get anything done. I do not feel simply as a casualty, a number. For now, I still feel as a contributor to life. I find the many comments I read through the PARKINSN exchange honest, encouraging, inspiring and very informative. It reassurance me, I made the right decision. If the readers detect a somewhat laboured English, they are right. Please forgive me. My cradle stood in Bonn, Germany. May wish each and every one a personal richly deserving year. Norbert Engels [log in to unmask]