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Ivan Suzman 47/10 Portland, Maine...land of lighthouses/le pays des phares... On Fri, 7 Feb 1997 10:33:08 -0500 will johnston <[log in to unmask]> writes: >____________________________________________________________________________ > > CERTIFICATE of RECOGNITION > > >By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in thhe Governor >of the > Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized: > > > PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH > > >WHEREAS, Parkinson's Disease is a brain disorder that usually affects >adults >over 40, >although it can appear in younger patients; and > >WHEREAS, more individuals suffer from Parkinson's Disease than >multiple >sclerosis, >muscular dystrophy and Lou Gerhig's Disease combined; and > >WHEREAS, according to the American Parkinson's Disease Association of >Virginia, today >there are over 13,000 Virginians affected by Parkinson's Disease; and > >WHEREAS, in 1995, there were over 4,000 individual cases of >Parkinson's >Disease reported >at Virginia hospitals, and there were 270 Parkinson's Disease >fatalities; and > >WHEREAS, the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease -- stiiness, tremor, >slowness >and poor >movement, and difficulty with balance and speaking -- are often >mistaken as >a normal >part of the aging process; and > >WHEREAS, although the cause of this disease is unknown, Levodopa and >other >antiparkinson >drugs can effectively control Parkinson's Disease symptoms; and > >WHEREAS, increased education and research are expected to help find >more >effective >treatments and ultimately a cure for Parkinson's Disease and will >provide >more effective >support programs and services to Parkinson's Disease patients, their >caregivers and >families; > >NOW, THEREFORE, I, George Allen, Governor, do hereby proclaim April >1997 as >PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, >and I >call this observance to the attention of all our concerned citizens. > G I > R N > I I > V A /S/ George Allen > Governor >SIC <SEAL> TYRANNIS > SEMPER > /S/ Betsy Davis Beamer > Secretary of the Commonwealth >____________________________________________________________________________ >_____ > > >And here's to long "ons" and short "offs" > >WILL JOHNSTON 4049 OAKLAND SCHOOL ROAD > SALISBURY, MD 21804-2716 > 410-543-0110 >Pres A.P.D.A. DelMarVa Chapter ================================================================== This is WONDERFUL. news for ALL of us in the PWP community!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations and thanks from Maine to the hard-working Virginian PWP's!!! I've had a HORRIBLE three days of a knock-out winter flu bug that has immobilized me. I have had muscles clenching non-stop in off- periods lasting 3 hours and it has really been awful. Then I turn on the computer, see this wonderful Virginia proclamation, and my depression LIFTED. So THANK YOU, Will Johnston and friends! I am currently working on getting something going-I don't know what format yet-- in the Maine State Legislature. I started phoning Augusta yesterday. The state representative from my residential district called me today to offer his "100%" sponsorship and support, and told me , of all things, that HE, TOO, HAS PARKINSON'S DISEASE, like me. Incredible and wonderful coincidence!! Isn't that a great opportunity for teamwork?? I will reveal his name to Listmembers only if he is agreeable. We hope to meet for the very first time, Sunday afternoon. He has NEVER revealed his medical condition to the other legislators or to anyone in the district. Somehow I feel HONORED that he has shared his painful secret with me. Although I am hoping he will go public about being a PWP, I FEEL THAT I MUST HONOR HIS DECISION TO REMAIN CLOSETED. AND THAT CONFIDENTIALITY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST in our relationship.. He did NOT know about the Udall Bill. He has never been able to go to a Parkinson's clinic. (There are none in Maine). I also have contacted Republican U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and Democratic U.S.Representatives Thomas Allen and John Baldacci, using the free 1-800-962-3524 number to the Capitol, about originial cosponsorship of the Udall Bill. Meds wearing off-must stop now--GO UDALLers GO!!!!!! Ivan Suzman 47/10 Portland,Maine Brrr. cough-cough-sneeze 12 deg. icyyyy