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John Testa wrote: > > Daphne Shaw wrote: > > > > I was an Ostrich until I was forced to look to a support group because my > > emotions were drained. When my PD husband would attend, I would make excuses > > to stay home because I didn't want to witness the progression of the disease. > > I wanted to believe it was just a shaking palsy. Then last year his symptoms > > were advanced by years because of a drug reaction. What I found at my first > > meeting were a few dedicated individuals keeping a good support group going. > > The shaking hand was making coffee for the guest. Another was setting up the > > tables. Another was placing the signs on the snow covered corners. A phone > > call had reminded me of the meeting. A guest speaker had been scheduled. > > > > Now, beyond the affliction, I see compassionate persons dealing with symptoms > > intelligently. They desire answers and share their understandings. . They show > > an unrelenting hope for a cure and seem more alive than those administering > > their government. Now, the more enlightened I am, the more prepared I should > > be to deal with helplessness and humiliation. > > This, I will face with hope and humility and until that time, I want to show > > compassion and patience that has been shown to us. > > > > Daphne cg for Bernie 71/7 in Ann Arbor MI > Dear Daphne, > I know how you feel, my husband was diagnosed two years ago at 46. I've > been a nurse for 27 years and for all the things I've dealt with nothing > prepared me for the emotions that came with just four words spoken by > our Neurologist 'your husband has Parkinson's'. It took me quiet awhile > before I could come to some kind of understanding with it. We have been > going to support meetings here, yes people are in all stages, its not > alway easy to face this,but there is so much to learn from everyone, we > all are in the same fight. My husband and I choose to become very active > in the fight to get the Udall Bill past. The only way to stop this > monster of a disease is with research and education. So we know we must > put all our efforts towards this bill. Sometimes in helping others we > help ourselves. We are all here for you and your husband. > Donna Testa > Rochester New York